Charges Issued in Fatal Traffic Crash Investigation

MONROE COUNTY - The Monroe County State's Attorney's Office has issued felony charges against a Millstadt man following an investigation into an October 2025 head-on crash in the unincorporated Columbia area that killed a Waterloo woman, authorities said.

The sheriff’s department said on March 25, 2026, that its investigation into the crash on Bluff Road just south of Bottom Road was complete and that charges had been filed against one of the drivers involved.

Deputies, along with Columbia Police Department officers, fire personnel, and EMS, responded to the scene at about 5:23 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2025, for a reported two-vehicle head-on crash, the department said. Emergency personnel arrived within minutes and found two vehicles, each with a single occupant, according to the release.

One driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was taken to a local hospital with injuries, the department said.

The deceased driver was identified as Kathleen Francescon, 61, of Waterloo, who was driving a 2021 Honda Accord, according to the sheriff’s department. The other driver was identified as Kaleb M. Hugger, 21, of Millstadt, who was driving a 2005 Buick Rendezvous, the department said.

Investigators presented the case to the Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office on March 16, 2026, the release said. On March 17, 2026, Monroe County State’s Attorney Ryan Webb issued charges against Hugger of aggravated driving under the influence involving death, a Class 2 felony, and reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, according to the sheriff’s department.

“The elements of each charge, along with the supporting facts of this case, are detailed in the official charging documents associated with this investigation,” the department said.

Hugger surrendered to deputies at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department on March 24, 2026, the release said.

The sheriff’s department said its investigation was conducted with assistance from the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.

The department said it extends “its deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to all family members and loved ones of those involved in this incident during this difficult time.”

As in all cases, all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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