Driver Charged with Drug-Related Homicide in Calumet County Crash

Abigail Wilcox faces charges for allegedly causing a fatal accident while under the influence of marijuana.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Abigail Wilcox, an 18-year-old driver, has been charged with homicide by vehicle with use of a controlled substance - marijuana - for allegedly causing a fatal traffic crash in Rantoul, Wisconsin that killed 89-year-old Nancy Wesener. Wilcox told police she had smoked marijuana several days prior to the accident, and a blood test confirmed the presence of THC in her system at the time of the crash.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around impaired driving laws, especially as they pertain to marijuana use. Unlike alcohol, where there are legal limits, any detectable amount of THC in Wisconsin can result in criminal charges, raising questions about how to properly address drug-impaired driving.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, on September 3rd, Wilcox's vehicle entered an intersection and was struck by Wesener's vehicle, causing Wilcox's car to crash into a stopped semi-truck. Wesener was killed in the accident. Wilcox told police she had stopped at the stop sign but did not see Wesener's vehicle approaching due to obstructed vision from tall corn in the field. A blood test confirmed Wilcox had THC in her system, though she claimed to have smoked marijuana several days earlier.

  • The fatal crash occurred on September 3rd.
  • Wilcox is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on June 22nd.

The players

Abigail Wilcox

An 18-year-old driver charged with homicide by vehicle with use of a controlled substance - marijuana - for allegedly causing a fatal traffic crash in Rantoul, Wisconsin.

Nancy Wesener

An 89-year-old woman who was killed in the traffic crash caused by Wilcox.

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What they’re saying

“Abigail stated she saw the semi stopped at the stop sign at the north side of the intersection and the semi was not moving. Abigail said she did not know why he was not proceeding, so she proceeded to pull out from the intersection.”

— Abigail Wilcox (Criminal Complaint)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on June 22nd whether to allow Wilcox out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of enforcing impaired driving laws when it comes to marijuana use, as the legal standards differ from alcohol and can lead to criminal charges even when the driver may not have been actively impaired at the time of the accident.