MADISON — The Diocese of Madison Office of Catholic Schools and St. John the Baptist Parish and School in Jefferson ask for prayers for the family of school principal Mary Kilar after a car accident on Thursday, Sept. 2, injured her husband and children and took the life of her six-year-old son, Treyton.
Kilar has been principal at St. John the Baptist School, Jefferson, since 2004. She was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
According to reports, Kilar’s husband Michael was driving westbound on Hwy. 20 in the town of Troy when a Chevrolet Suburban driven by Scott Dragotta, 44, of East Troy allegedly ran a stop sign and struck the Kilars’ car. Treyton Kilar was found unresponsive at the scene and was taken to Waukesha Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries. Michael Kilar was injured and taken to the hospital but later released. Daughters Rosie and Kindyl were not injured.
Dragotta was expected to be charged in Walworth County Circuit Court with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle in connection with the September 2 crash.
Classes at St. John the Baptist School were canceled on September 3 but resumed on Tuesday, Sept. 7, with counselors available at the school to speak with staff and students. Superintendent of Catholic Schools Michael Lancaster is working with the Jefferson School District and Catholic Charities counseling staff to manage the transition.
In a statement released by St. John the Baptist Parish, Lancaster extended his “sincere appreciation” to the Jefferson School District and Superintendent Michael Schwartz for their assistance.
The parish and Kilar family ask for prayers from the community and privacy for the family as they continue through this difficult time. Lancaster and Fr. Tom Coyle, pastor of the parish, will keep school families updated on the situation through the usual channels.
“It’s difficult to make sense of this tragedy but our God is great and his grace will carry us through,” Father Coyle said in the press release.
“Please take some extra time today to say a special prayer for Mary, her family and their little boy who now rests in the arms of God,” wrote Lancaster in an e-mail to principals September 3. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on him.”
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jefferson.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Fr.. Richard Cerpich and Fr. Thomas Coyle officiating. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.
The Nelson Bus Company generously provided shuttle service from the church to the cemetery on Wednesday for all who wanted to attend the graveside committal service following Mass.
Memorials may be made in Treyton’s name to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or School or to any program dedicated to preventing drunk driving.