Coroner IDs Woman Killed In Fox River Boat Collision

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The McHenry County Coroner's Office has identified a 48-year-old woman killed in a Fox River boat collision over the weekend as Magdalena Jablonska, of Des Plaines, according to the coroner's office.

Jablonska died from blunt force injuries to her head and body after a 31-foot Southbay went over the top of the 20-foot Crownline on which she was a passenger, according to preliminary results from the autopsy. The collision happened on a no-wake portion of the river near 1819 South Fernwood Lane in McHenry.

Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, is in custody on reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges in connection with accusations he caused the collision while traveling at least 80 mph, losing control of his vessel and going over the top of the Crownline, according to court documents.

Jablonska was decapitated and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

A man on board the Crownline, who prosecutors identified as Jablonska's husband, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and placed on life support, according to media reports.

On Monday, a McHenry County judge ordered Richard Stevenson to remain behind bars as his criminal case moves forward. Prosecutors argued Stevenson should be denied pretrial release, citing his criminal history — including prior DUI and reckless driving convictions — along with the circumstances of Saturday's fatal boat crash.

They also said Stevenson had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20, more than twice Illinois' legal limit for operating a watercraft, after allegedly spending the day drinking while boating on the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River.

“This man was a ticking time -bomb, and that bomb went off this past Saturday on the Fox River," said Brian Miller, deputy chief for the state's attorney's office, during the detention hearing on Monday.

Investigators Seek Public’s Help

Illinois Conservation Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, observed either boat before or after the crash, or has information related to the incident to contact investigators.

"Investigators welcome any photographs or video taken in the area around the time of the crash, including cell phone video, security camera footage or video recorded while boating on the Fox River," IDNR officials said in a Monday afternoon Facebook post.

Witnesses can email Illinois Conservation Police at DNR.LawReception@illinois.gov or submit information through the agency’s online incident reporting form.

MORE ON PATCH

• New Details Released In Fatal Fox River Boat Crash

• Executive’s Blood Alcohol Nearly 3 Times Legal Limit In Fatal Fox River Boat Crash: Court Documents