Boater Charged with Reckless Homicide After Fatal Crash on Fox River

In a tragic boating incident on Saturday afternoon, 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines was killed when her boat was struck by a speeding pontoon in a no-wake zone on the Fox River in McHenry, Illinois. According to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office, the crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. when Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, was operating his vessel at an "extremely high rate of speed."

Jablonska, who was out on the water with her fiancé, Allen, and their dog, suffered blunt-force injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, confirmed the McHenry County Coroner’s office. Allen was injured in the crash and later treated at a local hospital before being released to recover at home.

Marcin Jablonski, Jablonska’s younger brother, expressed disbelief over the loss, stating, “I just keep thinking that I should have spent more time with her.” He mentioned that just hours before the incident, he received a text from his sister, sharing a lighthearted video, a common practice between the two. Jablonska was known for her positivity and ability to make others feel special.

The incident, witnessed by nearby resident Candy Shoevlin, involved Stevenson’s pontoon colliding with Jablonska’s smaller boat. Shoevlin reported hearing the pontoon’s speed before rushing to intervene, only to witness the collision. Emergency responders arrived shortly after, as Shoevlin’s family helped pull Jablonska’s fiancé and their dog from the water. Fortunately, the dog was unharmed.

Stevenson was located nearby and taken into custody. He has been charged with one count of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing death, with his blood alcohol concentration reported at nearly three times the legal limit. Officials noted that Stevenson had a history of reckless boating and prior DUI offenses.

At a detention hearing on Monday, Judge Cynthia D. Lamb ordered Stevenson to remain in custody. “This man was a ticking time bomb, and that bomb went off this past Saturday on the Fox River,” stated Deputy Chief Brian Miller during the hearing. Stevenson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Jablonska family is devastated by the loss and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to honor her love for dogs, with proceeds set to benefit an animal shelter. As the community mourns, many are questioning how Stevenson was still permitted to operate a vessel given his dangerous history.