Man critically injured in Highway 99 accident improves slightly

Joseph Reilly, the 21-year-old man critically injured in a fatal car crash in Hazel Dell last month, has improved slightly at a local hospital.

Reilly was listed in serious condition at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, hospital spokesman Ken Cole said Monday afternoon.

According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Reilly was hit by Annastasia Morrison, 20, of Vancouver, who lost control of her speeding 2006 Mazda MX6 4-door sedan on Highway 99 near Northeast 72nd Street on Nov. 27. Reilly was walking to work at Smokey’s Hot Oven Pizza at 2:52 p.m. when he was hit by the Mazda. He was thrown across 72nd Street by the impact, landing in the parking lot of Collins Plaza, an office complex. The car then hit a post, which tore it in half, killing Morrison, said traffic homicide Detective James Payne.

Family spokesman Aaron Hahn said things are kind of in a “holding pattern” as Reilly recovers from a series of surgeries.

“Everything is going as well as can be expected at this point,” Hahn said.

Anyone wanting to help Reilly’s family pay for medical bills can donate to the Fund for Joseph M. Reilly at any TwinStar Credit Union branch.

Smokey’s Pizza in Hazel Dell, where Reilly works, will hold a fundraiser for the family Tuesday. Twenty percent of all proceeds between 6 and 9 p.m. will be donated to the fund, Hahn said. Both Smokey’s locations have donation jars for the fund.