Prairie du Chien Woman Dies in Head On Crash; Bloomington Man Faces Charges

A Prairie du Chien woman died in a head-on collision Sunday in Grant County. The Grant County Sheriff’s office says the fatal crash happened just after 6:00 pm on Highway 18 near Hicklin Hollow Road.  73 year old Dale Klemme of Prairie Du Chien was driving s SUV westbound on Highway 18 when an eastbound pickup driven by 57 year old Benjamin Steiger of Bloomington crossed the center line and struck Klemme’s vehicle head-on. As a result of the crash Klemme’s wife, 73 year old Cheryl Mader of Prairie du Chien died at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. Dale Klemme and their two granddaughters were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Steiger was found to be heavily under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and was placed under arrest. He is being held in the Grant County Jail on charges of Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle, Causing Injury while Operating Under the Influence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Steiger received minor injuries but refused treatment. The accident is under investigation.