Family members say Shawn Loescher was a kind person with a bright smile.
Loescher died Friday after a car crash August 25.
Last week, Shawn’s mother drove through the night from Arizona to be at her son's side. Friday, she planned his funeral.
"He was my eldest son. He was the oldest," Shawn's Mom Susan Whiteaker says, tears in her eyes.
Whiteaker say her oldest son loved his big family.
"He has four sisters and three brothers," she says.
And he loved his friends.
"He was happy and outgoing. He had many friends and he always called everybody his brother. He just took care of everybody," Whiteaker says.
She says Shawn was taken off life support and died at 11:15 Friday morning. The 23 year old had been in critical condition since the car he was in crashed into a tree August 25.
Investigators say 17-year-old David Jacobson from Osseo was driving that car on a country road south of Eau Claire. He told deputies he was going between 90 and 100 miles an hour when he came over a hill, lost control and hit some trees. He also told them he had been drinking.
Jacobson is charged with four felonies including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. 19-year-old Michael Hiatt who was also in the car died at the scene. Shawn Loescher was airlifted that night.
"He was very caring, very loving. He was a good brother. He always looked out for us. He was a good person," says Jessica Loescher, Shawn's sister.
She says her brother loved shopping and animals and cars. His mom hopes everyone will remember his smile.
"How true a friend he was and a true brother to his family... a good son."
Services for Shawn are Monday and Tuesday in Osseo.
There's also a memorial fund set up through Bank of America. Just make sure you write Shawn Loescher Memorial Fund. His mom says he had no insurance.
The sheriff's department says David Jacobson could face more homicide charges. The district attorney will review the case.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The sheriff's department says it looks like 17-year-old David Jacobson was trying to 'jump hills' with his car when he crashed killing his friend and seriously injuring another.
Classmates say Jacobson and Michael Hiatt were close friends and good guys. Both of them were National Guard members and had just returned from basic training.
Now Jacobson faces four felony charges in his friend's death.
19-year-old Michael Hiatt graduated from Osseo-Fairchild High School a year ago. 17-year-old David Jacobson will be a senior there this year. But, Sgt. Carl Duncan says one bad decision changed both their lives forever.
"Sometimes drivers and passengers make poor choices and sometimes those poor choices lead to tragic consequences. They had their whole lives ahead of them, but it only takes one time," says Sgt. Carl Duncan with the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Duncan says around 11 Monday night, Jacobson was going between 90 and 100 miles an hour when he came over a hill on Hickory Road, south of Eau Claire. He says Jacobson told them he lost control and hit a bunch of trees before rolling his car. Jacobson also told investigators he had been drinking. Michael Hiatt died at the scene.
"Mike was a real good person and student. We enjoyed him here. He was known as a good basketball player and a good friend. We're saddened by the news and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," says Dr. Kerry Jacobson, superintendent of Osseo-Fairchild schools.
Another passenger, 23-year-old Shawn Loescher from Eau Claire was also in the car. He was flown to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota where he remains in critical condition.
Jacobson is now charged with four felonies including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. He was released from jail on $5000 cash bond.
Jacobson was treated and released from Sacred Heart Hospital Monday night.
Sgt. Duncan says the sheriff’s department is still investigating the crash and the activities leading up to it. He's not sure if there will be any more charges.
Osseo-Fairchild High School has counselors available for any students who need them.