Father killed in crash on the way to birth of 8th child

A father driving his pregnant wife and children to the hospital for the birth of the couple’s eighth child died when a deer struck the family’s van in central Wisconsin.

Sheriff’s officials in Marathon County say a vehicle struck a deer on Highway 97 in the Town of Cleveland early Friday and threw the animal into the windshield of a van driven by 42-year-old Michael Rogan. Sheriff’s Lt. Ted Knoeck said Rogan died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Rogan’s wife, Niki, and seven children suffered minor injuries in the crash and were taken to the same hospital. Niki Rogan gave birth to a boy hours later.

Longtime friends of the couple, Dominic and Cecilia Gruetzmacher, say Niki Rogan homeschools her children, ranging in age from the newborn to 15 years old.

A GoFundMe page shows a family photo taken after the baby’s baptism Sunday. The fundraiser has raised $125,000 in three days. The goal is $250,000.