McHENRY, Ill. (TNND) — A 48-year-old woman was killed in a boating crash on the Fox River Saturday afternoon.
Authorities identified the victim as Magdalena Jablonska, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. when a 31-foot pontoon boat operated by 45-year-old Richard Stevenson collided with a 20-foot Crownline boat, south of the McHenry Dam.
Witnesses reported that Stevenson was traveling at a high rate of speed when his boat struck the rear of the Crownline, subsequently running over it and causing catastrophic injuries to Jablonska.
Stevenson is facing charges of aggravated driving under the influence causing death and reckless homicide. He appeared in court on Monday, where authorities revealed he had a blood alcohol concentration of approximately 0.200, more than double Illinois' legal limit.
Witnesses indicated that Stevenson consumed alcohol throughout the day while operating the vessel at high speeds. He has a history of multiple DUI charges and reckless driving offenses.
Deputy Chief Brian Miller described Stevenson as a “ticking time-bomb” at the detention hearing. He is currently held pending trial and is scheduled to return to court on August 5.
McHenry County State's Attorney Randi L. Freese expressed condolences to Jablonska's family and emphasized the need for safety on local waterways.