A Bolingbrook crane company has terminated an employee after he was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence following a fatal boat crash on the Fox River.
Richard Stevenson, 45, was ordered detained by a McHenry County judge pending trial after a Monday court appearance.
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Prosecutors allege he was operating a 30-foot pontoon boat at 80 miles per hour under the influence of alcohol when it struck a smaller vessel.
The crash killed 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines, who was decapitated upon impact.
Her husband was taken to a hospital in critical condition and placed on life support.
Company Response and Background
Stevenson Crane Service announced Tuesday that it fired Stevenson, stating he worked in equipment sales, held no leadership role, had no operational involvement, and owned no interest in the firm.
This contradicts a since-removed LinkedIn page listing him as vice president.
“A tragic incident occurred this weekend involving Richard Stevenson and we offer our sincerest condolences to the victims' families and loved ones,” the company said in a statement.
Court records show hospital blood tests revealed Stevenson had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20, two and a half times the legal limit.
Two passengers on his boat prior to the crash told investigators he took multiple shots of Fireball whiskey, and one confirmed the boat reached 80 miles per hour.
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