FOND DU LAC – A 16-year-old Sheboygan girl made her first court appearance June 17 after prosecutors charged her in a rollover crash in Fond du Lac County that killed a 17-year-old passenger and injured five other teens.
Madylin Michelle Blonigen, 16, was charged with three felonies: knowingly operating a motor vehicle without a valid license causing death and two counts of causing great bodily harm, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney announced. Fond du Lac County Judge Laura Lavey set bond at $5,000.
Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies responded to the single-vehicle crash at 7:17 p.m. on County HH in the town of Calumet. Investigators said a sport utility vehicle was traveling west on Highway HH when it failed to negotiate a curve, left the road, struck a culvert and driveway, became airborne, hit a utility pole and rolled over.
A 17-year-old female passenger died at the scene, and five other occupants were injured, including Blonigen as the driver.
“Our hearts break for the family that lost their child in this crash and for all those injured and their families,” Toney said.
Blonigen denies alcohol being a factor in the crash
According to the criminal complaint, Blonigen denied consuming alcohol before the crash, but she admitted to using a THC vape cartridge pen. A blood test taken at the hospital was submitted for analysis, Toney said.
Blonigen also admitted to not having a driver’s license, according to the criminal complaint.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate. Anyone with additional details that led to the crash is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office.
GoFundMe for the victim raised almost $21,000
A GoFundMe campaign called “Honoring Kaitlynn Reinhardt’s Bright Spirit” started the day after the crash to support the family that lost their only child. Her obituary identifies her as Kaitlynn Reinhardt, of Kiel. She had just finished her junior year of high school.
“Kaitlynn had a bright smile, contagious laughter, and a zest for all things life. This world is surely duller without her in it,” the GoFundMe reads.
As of June 17, the campaign raised $20,975, far exceeding its goal of $6,000.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Sheboygan teen charged after deadly Fond du Lac County rollover crash
Reporting by Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter / Fond du Lac Reporter
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By Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter | USA TODAY Network
