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Magdalena Jablonska ID’d as Victim in Fatal Fox River Boat Crash
Tragic Boat Crash on Fox River: What Happened and What Comes Next
What Happened?
Over the weekend, a serious boat crash occurred on the Fox River in McHenry, Illinois. Sadly, one woman lost her life and another person was injured. Here’s what we know so far, explained simply.
Important Point: This was not just an accident—it involved a boat driver who was allegedly drunk and speeding in a no-wake zone.
Who Was Involved?
The Victim
- Name: Magdalena Jablonska
- Age: 48
- From: Des Plaines, Illinois
- Injuries: Blunt force injuries to her body and head
- Outcome: An autopsy was performed on Tuesday
The Person Charged
- Name: Richard Stevenson
- Age: 45
- Charges:
- Reckless homicide
- Aggravated driving under the influence (DUI)
- Status: Currently detained (held in jail) while the case moves forward
The Other People
- Victim’s husband: Was on the same boat, taken to hospital
- Two passengers on Stevenson’s boat: Both left the scene but were later interviewed by police
The Timeline of Events
Prosecutors (the lawyers working for the government) shared this timeline during a court hearing:
- Saturday afternoon: Stevenson was driving a 30-foot pontoon boat on the Fox River
- 12:40 PM: Security camera from a nearby home shows the pontoon passing by
- About 1 hour 45 minutes later: Same camera shows the pontoon heading north on the river
- About 1 minute after that: The family heard the collision
- The crash: Stevenson’s pontoon entered a no-wake zone (an area where boats must go very slow) and hit the back of a green Crownline boat
- The impact: The woman in the passenger seat of the Crownline boat was driven over and decapitated (this means her head was separated from her body due to the force)
- After the crash: The pontoon ended up on a riverbank where a witness found Stevenson
- At the hospital: A blood test showed Stevenson’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.20 — that’s 2.5 times the legal limit
Evidence Against the Driver
Video Evidence
- Home security cameras captured the pontoon boat’s movements before the crash
- A video of a child on swings showed the boat passing at 12:40 PM
Witness Statements
- Two passengers on Stevenson’s boat told police:
- Stevenson drank multiple shots of Fireball whiskey that day
- One passenger said Stevenson was going 80 miles per hour before the crash
Physical Evidence
- Blood test results: 0.20 BAC (legal limit is 0.08)
- Boat damage and location: Confirms the pontoon hit the other boat in a no-wake zone
Important Point: In Illinois, the legal blood alcohol limit for driving a boat is the same as driving a car: 0.08. Stevenson’s level of 0.20 is extremely high.
The Driver’s Past Record
Prosecutors pointed out Stevenson has a long history of dangerous driving:
| Time Period | Offenses |
|---|---|
| 1997–2005 | • 3 DUI arrests • 4 speeding tickets (misdemeanors) • 3 reckless driving charges • Fleeing and eluding police |
| 2023 | • Misdemeanor speeding (26–34 mph over the limit) |
This history was used to argue that Stevenson should stay in jail until trial.
What Happens Next?
- Next court date: August 5 — Stevenson will return to court
- Case continues: Prosecutors will present more evidence
- Possible outcomes: If found guilty, Stevenson could face significant prison time
Summary
- A 48-year-old woman died in a boat crash on the Fox River in McHenry
- The other boat’s driver, Richard Stevenson (45), is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI
- Evidence shows he was drunk (0.20 BAC) and speeding (80 mph) in a no-wake zone
- Video footage and witness statements support the charges
- Stevenson has a history of DUIs and reckless driving going back decades
- He is currently in jail and returns to court on August 5
FAQ
1. What is a "no-wake zone"?
A no-wake zone is an area on the water where boats must travel at the slowest possible speed to avoid creating waves (wakes). These zones are usually near docks, swimming areas, or narrow channels to keep people safe.
2. What does "reckless homicide" mean?
Reckless homicide is when someone unintentionally kills another person by acting in a reckless or careless way — like driving a boat at 80 mph while drunk in a slow-speed zone.
3. What is "blood alcohol concentration" (BAC)?
BAC measures how much alcohol is in your bloodstream. In Illinois, 0.08 is the legal limit for driving a car or a boat. Stevenson’s 0.20 means he had 2.5 times the legal amount of alcohol in his system.
4. Why did the passengers leave the scene but talk to police later?
The article doesn’t say why they left, but it’s common for witnesses to be scared or confused after a traumatic event. What matters is they came forward and told police what they saw.
5. What happens at the August 5 court date?
This will likely be a status hearing where the judge checks on the case progress, hears any motions (legal requests), and sets future dates. It’s not the trial — that would come much later.
