Tragic Fox River Boat Crash Claims Life of Marine Veteran
WHO:
NBC 5 Chicago - Richard Stevenson was employed by the family-owned Stevenson Crane Company in the equipment sales department, which terminated his employment following the incident.
NBC 5 Chicago - The victim was identified as 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska, a U.S. Marine veteran.
NBC 5 Chicago - The boater involved in the crash is 45-year-old Richard Stevenson.
NBC 5 Chicago - Jablonska's sister, Michelle Macias, provided a statement about her character.
ABC7 Chicago - The McHenry County Coroner's Office confirmed Jablonska's identity.
WHAT:
ABC7 Chicago - Prosecutors stated that a woman seated in the passenger seat of the Crownline was decapitated in the crash.
NBC 5 Chicago - Prosecutors described Stevenson as a "ticking time bomb" due to his history of DUI charges dating back more than 20 years.
NBC 5 Chicago - Jablonska was killed in a boat crash when Stevenson struck her vessel at 80 mph.
NBC 5 Chicago - Stevenson is facing charges of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide.
ABC7 Chicago - Jablonska suffered blunt force injuries to her body and head.
ABC7 Chicago - Stevenson's blood alcohol concentration was allegedly 0.20, which is 2.5 times the legal limit.
ABC7 Chicago - Stevenson was operating a 30-foot pontoon boat when he crashed into another boat.
WHERE:
NBC 5 Chicago - The incident occurred on the Fox River.
ABC7 Chicago - The crash took place near the 1800-block of South Fernwood Lane in McHenry, Illinois.
WHEN:
NBC 5 Chicago - The crash occurred on a Saturday.
ABC7 Chicago - Security footage captured the pontoon passing by at 12:40 p.m., nearly two hours before the crash.
ABC7 Chicago - Stevenson's next court date is scheduled for August 5.
WHY:
NBC 5 Chicago - Prosecutors stated Stevenson was both drunk and speeding when he crashed into Jablonska's boat.
NBC 5 Chicago - Witnesses reported Stevenson had been drinking Fireball whiskey while driving.
HOW:
ABC7 Chicago - Security footage captured the pontoon traveling south on the river and then heading north about an hour and 45 minutes later before the crash occurred.
NBC 5 Chicago - Stevenson allegedly picked up a bucket of Fireball whiskey bottles and was drinking them as he drove.
ABC7 Chicago - Prosecutors outlined a timeline of events leading up to the collision, indicating Stevenson was operating the pontoon at high speed before the crash.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 22:26 UTC)
Richard Stevenson, who worked in the equipment sales department at the family-owned Stevenson Crane Company, has been terminated following a tragic incident that left a woman decapitated in a crash. Prosecutors have labeled Stevenson a "ticking time bomb" due to his extensive history of DUI charges spanning over 20 years, and security footage revealed that a pontoon was seen traveling south on the river before turning north about an hour and 45 minutes prior to the collision. This incident has raised serious concerns about safety and accountability on the water.
--
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 10:56 UTC)
Magdalena Jablonska, a 48-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, was tragically killed in a boat crash on the Fox River when Richard Stevenson, 45, struck her vessel while allegedly traveling at 80 miles per hour. Stevenson is now facing serious charges, including aggravated DUI and reckless homicide, with a reported blood alcohol concentration of 0.20, which is 2.5 times the legal limit. Witnesses indicated that Stevenson had been drinking Fireball whiskey while operating his 30-foot pontoon boat, and his next court appearance is set for August 5.