Lisle man accused in deadly Fox River boat crash pleads not guilty
Chicago-area man accused in deadly boat crash pleads not guilty
Richard Stevenson pleaded not guilty Friday morning after the Fox River boat crash that killed Magdalena Jablonska last month.
MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. - Richard Stevenson has pleaded not guilty on charges stemming from an alleged drunk boating crash that killed 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska.
Deadly boat crash
Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, faces two counts of aggravated DUI causing death and one count of reckless homicide in connection with the July 25 crash on the Fox River near McHenry.
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Lisle man accused in fatal Fox River boat crash denied pretrial release
A McHenry County judge denied pretrial release Tuesday for Richard M. Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, who is charged in connection with a fatal boat crash on the Fox River that killed a 48-year-old woman.
Prosecutors allege Stevenson was operating a 31-foot SouthBay pontoon at more than 75 mph while intoxicated in a no-wake zone when it struck the rear of a 20-foot Crownline carrying Jablonska and her fiancé, Alan Telmini.
The pontoon was powered by three 500-horsepower outboard motors. Prosecutors said Stevenson's blood alcohol concentration was about .20 at the time of the crash, nearly three times the legal limit.
Jablonska suffered fatal injuries in the collision.
Civil lawsuit
Jablonska's family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stevenson.
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Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Richard Stevenson after fatal Fox River boat crash
The family of 48-year-old Magdalena "Madzia" Jablonska filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Richard Stevenson following the fatal Fox River boat crash in McHenry County.
The lawsuit alleges Stevenson was speeding and operating the pontoon with its bow elevated high enough to restrict his visibility before striking the back of the couple's boat. The complaint says the impact caused Stevenson's pontoon to ride over the stern and become airborne.
The lawsuit also alleges Telmini was physically injured and suffered severe emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing Jablonska's death. He continues to receive treatment, according to the complaint.
The family is seeking more than $50,000 in damages in the civil case.
What they're saying:
According to prosecutors, Stevenson has previously been charged with DUI three times, reckless driving three times and four misdemeanor speeding offenses.
Court testimony also detailed prior convictions involving fleeing police and a revoked driver's license.
"This man was a ticking time-bomb and that bomb went off this past Saturday on the Fox River," Assistant State's Attorney Brian Miller said during Stevenson's detention hearing on July 27.
Prosecutors said a man who encountered Stevenson after the collision told authorities Stevenson was crying and said his "life was over."
Jablonska's younger sister described her as much more than a sibling.
"She pretty much raised me," she said, recalling how her older sister was always there during difficult moments and served as a second mother to many members of the family.
She said Jablonska often reminded loved ones that "everything happens for a reason," but added, "This didn't have to happen."
Telmini also described the moments before the crash.
"I heard loud engines," he said. "I looked to the left ... and then she was gone."
What's next:
Stevenson remains in the McHenry County Jail after a judge denied him pretrial release last month.
On Friday, he pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Sept. 23.
The Source: The information in this story came from court documents and previous FOX Chicago reporting.