A Manitowoc couple well-known in their community for their efforts to make a positive impact were critically injured when the motorcycles they were riding were struck head on the afternoon of July 6.
A Cecil woman faces five felony charges for her alleged role in the crash.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies, Shawano Ambulance and the Cecil-Washington Fire Department responded to County Road R and Lily Pond Road in the Town of Washington at about 3:18 p.m.
Jason and Tina Prigge were transported by helicopter to local hospitals. Tina Prigge, 52, lost her left leg from the knee on down as well as her left arm. Jason Prigge, 50, suffered a shattered leg.
Lt. Chris Madle said Tina Prigge is in critical but stable condition, while Jason Prigge is in stable condition.
The driver of the pickup truck, Kaitlynn F. Cress, Cecil, was uninjured. According to the sheriff’s department, Cress, who has since turned 29, was northbound on County Road R when she reportedly crossed the center line and struck the Prigges’ southbound motorcycles. A 22-year-old man driving behind the Prigges said was almost struck by Cress after she struck the motorcycles.
On July 9, Cress was charged with two counts of reckless driving causing great bodily harm, two counts of first degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of second degree recklessly endangering safety. Combined, the charges carry maximum penalties of $95,000, 47 years in prison or both.
A cash bond of $12,000 was set by Judge William Kussel Jr.
A preliminary hearing was set for 8:15 a.m. July 15 in front of Judge Katherine Sloma in Shawano County Circuit Court Branch 1.
Amber Daugs, a friend of Jason and Tina Prigge, has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the couple’s medical expenses.
As of July 10, $121,443 of a $100,000 goal was raised.
According to Daugs, Tina Prigge serves as president of the Manitowoc International Relations Association and is a board member of the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra. Jason Prigge is the board president of Grow It Forward Inc., an accomplished artist, and a member of the NOAA Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
Daugs wrote in a July 9 update on the GoFundMe page that Jason Prigge successfully underwent corrective surgery with placement of a rod to repair his crushed left leg.
“Tina underwent an additional surgery on the loss of her limbs,” Daugs wrote. “The doctors are likely to perform additional surgeries down the road. Today Tina’s breathing tube was removed, and she is now breathing on her own. They had to give her another blood transfusion today. In addition to all that she has undergone, she is also dealing with a fractured pelvis and broken vertebrae.”
County Road R was closed for about three hours during the investigation of the crash.
Also assisting at the scene were the Wisconsin State Patrol, Shawano County Highway Department, Oconto County Highway Department, Thedastar Air Transport and Eagle III Air Transport.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
