Benefit planned for husband, wife separated after head-on crash
WASHINGTON COUNTY -- A young husband and wife were separated on New Year's Day after a head-on collision. Jeff Hasby was killed in the crash, and his wife, Katey survived, but was injured. Now, FOX6 News has learned Katey is pregnant, and Jeff's best friend is doing his best to make sure the baby gets a good start in life.
Johnathan Friess describes Jeff Hasby as a hard-worker, concerned about providing for his wife and baby on the way. Friess spent New Year's Eve with the couple.
On New Year's Day, the couple left home to get ice cream, when officials say a car driven by 21-year-old Tyler Hust of Sussex crossed the center line in Richfield, and hit the couple's vehicle head on. Jeff Hasby was killed and Katey was taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Hospital.
Now, Friess wonders why a couple with such a bright future was torn apart.
"This guy's got a loving wife. He loved her more than anything. He's got a baby on the way," Friess said.
Jeff Hasby was working hard as a heavy equipment operator, starting his own landscaping business. Katey just graduated from a nursing program, and hadn't yet started her new job at a hospital.
Friess says Jeff Hasby's new family and life ahead is what made him happy -- even when working long hours.
"He was worried about it and I would have helped him, but now he's gone. He was the one that was there to take care of her, and they're going to have a baby. I mean, it's terrible," Friess said.
Friess is hosting a benefit for Katey Hasby and the baby on Friday evening, January 4th at Sheryl's Club in Ackerville -- not far from the crash scene.
"I thought right away Jeff was a guy who just took care of stuff, and the least we could do at this point is try to help Katey and make sure she gets taken care of while she's grieving, so she can heal," Friess said.
Donations can also be made to the Hasby Memorial Fund at any Associated Bank.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office says it is waiting on blood tests to determine whether the 21-year-old driver who hit the Hasby's should face charges.
Related stories: