Trust fund set up for victim’s son

Friday, July 18, 2003 | 11:40 a.m.

A trust fund for the child of a woman killed in a freak car accident has been established by her former employer.

JMA Architecture Studios of Las Vegas and Partners Financial have set up a college fund, College America, for Michelle Rogers' son, said Eva Anaya JMA Human Resources manager. Funds can be sent to the JMA Architecture Studios care of Dexter Monk at 10150 Covington Cross Drive.

Anaya said the college fund for the 7-year-old is still in the preliminary stages because they did not learn of Rogers' death until Wednesday.

"We wanted to get funds quickly," she said, so the final paperwork with Partners Financial is still being worked out.

Rogers, 31, was involved in an accident July 11 during her morning commute to work, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Angie Wolff said. Rogers' car was struck by a rock that was kicked up by another vehicle.

The rock went through the windshield and struck Rogers in the head. She died six days later at University Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Rogers, who was the executive assistant to Senior Vice President Edward Vance, worked at JMA for 14 months and lived in the Las Vegas Valley for a short time, Anaya said.

Today was the first day JMA expects to receive checks. So far the only donation received was from the Station Casinos for $5,000, Anaya said. Vance was in charge of the hospitality and health-care division, so clients such as Station Casino had a working relationship with Rogers, she said.

Since Rogers family is originally from Washington, D.C., Anaya said, the funds raised will not have to go through the family first in case they leave the Las Vegas area. People could donate at anytime through JMA.