Charges filed in fatal crash

A 57-year-old Bloomington man faces 10 charges after a fatal head-on crash near Patch Grove June 25.

Benjamin J. Steiger made his first Grant County Circuit Court appearance June 27 on homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle, homicide by motor vehicle using a controlled substance, three counts of operating while intoxicated causing injury, three counts of causing injury by operating a motor vehicle using a controlled substance, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bond was set at $15,000 cash with conditions to not possess or consume alcohol or controlled substances unless prescribed, and to not drive on a public highway.

Steiger’s preliminary hearing will be held Friday. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines on the homicide charges.

Cheryl A. Mader, 73, Prairie du Chien, died at the scene of the crash on U.S. 18 near Hicklin Hollow Road June 25 around 8:15 p.m. Her husband, Dale H. Klemme, 73, and their 7- and 5-year-old grandchildren were injured in the crash.

Mader was the former mayor of Prairie du Chien. Klemme is the executive director of Community Development Alternatives, an urban planning and consulting services business that has worked with municipalities throughout the Driftless Region and oversees housing administration for 13 communities.

Steiger sustained minor injuries, and refused medical treatment. An on-scene investigation done by sheriff’s deputies found Steiger was heavily under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Steiger was also cited with operating left of center causing death.

West Grant EMS, Mount Hope and Bloomington Fire, Wisconsin State Patrol Reconstruction Team and the Grant County Coroner assisted at the scene.

Mader is the second fatality on Grant County roads this year.