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Man Held After High-Speed Pontoon Strikes Boat on Fox River, Killing Woman

Prosecutors presented evidence of extreme speed coupled with heavy intoxication that led to felony charges.

Overview

  • A triple-engine pontoon allegedly slammed into a smaller boat on the Fox River on Saturday, July 25, killing a passenger and injuring two others.
  • Lisle resident Richard M. Stevenson, 45, was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence and a judge ordered him detained pending trial.
  • Prosecutors told the court they have video and witness statements showing the pontoon traveling near 80 miles per hour in a no-wake zone and cited a hospital toxicology result of about 0.236 blood alcohol concentration.
  • The McHenry County Coroner identified the victim as Magdalena Jablonska and an autopsy found blunt force injuries to her head and body.
  • Investigators are collecting more video and witness tips as the community presses for safety measures on the river and Stevenson's next court date is scheduled for August 5.