Full Breakdown
Teen Charged as Adult After Fatal Fond du Lac Crash
6/20/2026, 11:30:33 PM
Fatal Crash and Immediate Aftermath
On a Saturday night in June, a 16-year-old driver from Sheboygan—identified as Madylin Blonigen in one report and as Madeleine Lonergan in another—operated a small SUV on Highway HH in the Town of Calumet, Fond du Lac County. The vehicle, carrying five passengers, missed a curve, rolled, and trapped a passenger beneath it. Seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn Reinhardt died; five others were injured. The driver was arrested and charged as an adult with driving without a license, causing death and great bodily harm.
Chronology of Key Developments
June 13: crash occurs. The next day dispatch audio records calls describing the rollover and requests for a second helicopter. Four days later the driver appears in court, is denied bail, and faces adult charges. At a subsequent hearing Judge Laura Lavey sets bail at $5,000; the driver posts bail and is released. Prosecutors now await blood-test results.
Key Figures and Numbers
Driver: 16-year-old Madylin Blonigen (or Madeleine Lonergan), unlicensed.
Fatalities: 1 (Kaitlyn Reinhardt).
Injured: 5 passengers, several seriously.
Dispatch reported 5–6 patients.
Potential sentence: up to 13 years in prison.
Official Statements and Responses
Judge Laura Lavey said the case involves alleged behavior that caused the accident, despite its tragic nature. District Attorney Eric Toney highlighted the community impact of any fatality. The Kiel Area School District expressed “incredible sadness” over Reinhardt’s death and praised her character. Prosecutors noted the driver’s admission of smoking a THC vape has not resulted in an intoxication charge pending blood-test results.
Victims’ Families Seek Leniency
During the bail hearing, victims’ families asked for leniency. Kristine Kopp, on behalf of her son, requested “leniency,” while Andrea Spisla urged the court not to impose a severe sentence on the teenage driver.
Conflicting Accounts and Unresolved Issues
The driver is identified as Madylin Blonigen in one report and as Madeleine Lonergan in another, reflecting a naming discrepancy across sources. The criminal complaint includes a victim’s claim that the driver “was going too fast.” The driver told investigators she smoked a THC vape before the crash, yet she has not been charged with intoxicated driving. Authorities await laboratory results, leaving the possibility of additional charges unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As much as one may refer to this as a tragic accident, there certainly are allegations here of behavior that caused that accident,” — Judge Laura Lavey
- “Any time we have a fatality, whether it's criminal or not, it's tragic for the family that's lost a loved one, especially if it might be a child, and the impact it can have on a community,” — District Attorney Eric Toney
- “On behalf of my son, a victim, we ask for leniency,” — Kristine Kopp, parent
- “I WOULD LIKE IT NOT TO GO REALLY SEVERE ON HER.” — Andrea Spisla, parent
Future Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors will review the pending blood-test results, which could trigger additional intoxication charges. The driver faces a potential 13-year sentence for the current offenses, and further court proceedings are expected.
