The tranquil waters of the Fox River near McHenry, Illinois, became the backdrop for an unspeakable tragedy on a summer afternoon, transforming a leisure boating trip into a horrific disaster. What unfolded was not merely an accident, but a high-speed collision fueled by alleged severe intoxication, resulting in the death of a beloved U.S. Marine veteran and triggering a cascade of legal fallout, corporate distancing, and public outrage.
A Leisurely Afternoon Shattered by Recklessness
On a Saturday afternoon, 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska, a resident of Des Plaines, was enjoying a peaceful day on the water. She was aboard a modest white-and-green 1997 Crownline runabout alongside her partner, cruising south of the McHenry Dam along the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in unincorporated McHenry. They were maintaining safe speeds, navigating the local waterways as any responsible boater would.
Without warning, that tranquility was obliterated. A massive, high-powered 31-foot South Bay tri-toon boat—reported to be carrying multiple occupants and traveling at an astronomical and reckless speed estimated by prosecutors to be around 80 mph—came barreling down the river. Witnesses later told investigators that the vessel had been operating at full throttle as it entered a designated no-wake zone.
The oversized, high-speed boat violently overtook and crashed straight over the top of the smaller Crownline runabout. The sheer force and mechanics of the collision caused catastrophic devastation. Magdalena Jablonska was struck directly by the heavy-duty watercraft, suffering fatal injuries that resulted in her immediate death at the scene. Her partner was also injured in the collision, requiring urgent advanced life support and hospitalization, while a dog on board miraculously survived the wreckage.
The Suspect and the Corporate Fallout
Law enforcement and emergency responders quickly flooded the scene. The operator of the speeding tri-toon was identified as 45-year-old Richard M. Stevenson of Lisle, Illinois. According to police and prosecutors, Stevenson had been heavily drinking throughout the day, with court documents and witness accounts noting the presence of alcohol, including Fireball Whisky, on his vessel.
Following the crash, chaos ensued as individuals from Stevenson’s boat attempted to leave the area. Bystanders intervened, chasing down those trying to flee and ensuring that Stevenson remained on-site until authorities arrived. When officers made contact with him, Stevenson was eventually transported to a local hospital. Court records revealed that he refused to voluntarily submit to chemical testing for intoxication, prompting an automatic suspension of his driver’s license. However, medical records and subsequent state findings indicated a staggering blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.236—nearly three times the legal threshold.
As the gravity of the incident made news headlines across Illinois, the shockwaves extended directly into the corporate sphere. Stevenson was listed as a vice president in the equipment sales department at Stevenson Crane Service, Inc., a heavy-handling and crane rental firm based in Bolingbrook. Crucially, the company’s president is Donna Stevenson—the mother of the accused driver.
In response to public backlash and the severity of the charges, Stevenson Crane Service swiftly issued a public statement announcing that Richard Stevenson’s employment had been terminated. The company sought to distance its operations from the executive, emphasizing that he held no operational leadership or ownership interest. Despite these corporate statements, public scrutiny remained intense given the family ties to the executive suite.
Legal Proceedings and Detainment
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office moved swiftly, filing formal criminal complaints against Stevenson in the McHenry County Circuit Court. He was charged with multiple serious felonies, including one count of reckless homicide—a Class 3 felony—and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing a crash involving death, a Class 2 felony. Furthermore, background checks unspooled a troubling history, revealing prior arrests in DuPage County involving multiple driving under the influence (DUI) offenses, resisting a police officer, and battery.
During Stevenson’s initial appearance in court, prosecutors successfully argued for a pre-trial detention petition, highlighting his extreme recklessness, a BAC three times the legal limit, and a history of similar offenses. McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the state’s request, ruling that Stevenson posed a real and present danger to the community and ordering him held behind bars while awaiting trial.
Remembering Magdalena Jablonska
Amid the legal developments and shock over the circumstances of the crash, family members and friends focused their grief on honoring an extraordinary woman. Magdalena Jablonska was remembered not just as a victim of a senseless tragedy, but as a vibrant pillar of her community. Born in Poland, she immigrated to the United States and proudly embodied the American Dream through hard work, resilience, and service.
A veteran who honorably served six years in the United States Marine Corps, Magdalena was praised by her siblings as “the sunshine wherever she went” and the emotional anchor of her family. Her commitment to helping others, quiet strength, and warmth left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.
As the investigation by the Illinois Conservation Police and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office continues, the tragedy has intensified calls for stricter maritime enforcement, enhanced patrol of busy inland waterways, and zero-tolerance policies regarding alcohol consumption behind the wheel of high-powered watercraft. For Magdalena’s grieving family and community, the pursuit of absolute justice remains the primary focus as they strive to ensure her memory is honored and that accountability is fully realized.
