Pass Community Helps Raise $15K in One Day for Family of Man Killed in Crash

As the coroner's office Saturday publicly named the driver killed as his car went out of control on a rain-slicked Beaumont road and slammed into a light pole, community members are already stepping up to the plate to help the wife and three children he leaves behind. 

Matthew Wilken, 30, of Banning, was declared dead at the scene of the Brookside Avenue crash Friday, which was called in at 2:17 p.m.

Just hours after news of the tragic crash hit, a Go Fund Me account was set up by a family friend, to help raise money to support Wilken's family.

"A tragic accident took place on 2/28/14 where a wonderful husband, father, son, brother &friend lost his life," Shauna Rehome Houston writes on the page.  "He leaves behind a wife and 3 young children... Please help support this mother in a time of great need!"

That call to action was all it took to get donations pouring in.  As of 9 p.m. Saturday, a total of $15,422 had been raised by 383 people, according to the site.

If you would like to donate, click here to visit the Go Fund Me page.