By Benson Judge | Published: July 29, 2026
MCHENRY, Ill – Magdalena Jablonska, a 48-year-old resident of Des Plaines, Illinois, has been identified as the woman who lost her life following a tragic boating accident on the Fox River in McHenry over the weekend. Authorities say the collision, which has led to felony criminal charges against another boat operator, remains under active investigation.
The fatal crash has deeply affected Jablonska’s family, friends, and the surrounding communities, while raising renewed concerns about impaired boating and safety on Illinois waterways.
Victim Identified by McHenry County Coroner
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Magdalena Jablonska died after sustaining catastrophic blunt force injuries to her head and body during the collision on the Fox River near the 1800 block of South Fernwood Lane in McHenry, Illinois.
An autopsy was completed on Tuesday as investigators continued gathering evidence surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not publicly released additional personal details about Jablonska beyond confirming her identity and residence in Des Plaines.
What Happened on the Fox River?
According to prosecutors, the collision occurred Saturday afternoon when a 30-foot pontoon boat allegedly operated by Richard Stevenson, 45, struck a smaller Crownline recreational boat from behind.
Court records allege Stevenson was traveling at approximately 80 miles per hour immediately before the crash despite approaching a designated no-wake zone.
Investigators say the impact caused fatal injuries to Magdalena Jablonska, who was seated as a passenger aboard the Crownline boat. Her husband, who was also on board, survived the collision and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Richard Stevenson
Following the investigation, prosecutors charged Richard Stevenson with:
- Reckless homicide
- Aggravated driving under the influence
During his detention hearing, prosecutors alleged Stevenson was operating the vessel while intoxicated.
According to court testimony, a blood sample obtained at a hospital allegedly measured his blood alcohol concentration at 0.20, significantly above Illinois’ legal limit for operating a watercraft.
Stevenson remains detained pending further court proceedings.
His next scheduled court appearance is August 5.
As with all criminal proceedings, the charges are allegations, and Stevenson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Surveillance Videos and Witness Accounts
Investigators presented surveillance footage obtained from homes located along the Fox River.
According to prosecutors, one camera captured the pontoon boat traveling south earlier in the day before returning north approximately one hour and forty-five minutes later. Family members who supplied the footage reported hearing the collision roughly one minute after the boat passed their property.
Separate video footage also reportedly showed the pontoon traveling through the area nearly two hours before the crash.
Witnesses later directed emergency responders to a nearby riverbank where the pontoon reportedly came to rest.
Authorities also interviewed two passengers who had been aboard Stevenson’s vessel. According to prosecutors, both stated Stevenson had consumed multiple alcoholic drinks before the collision and described the pontoon as traveling at an extremely high rate of speed.
These statements were presented during a detention hearing and may be subject to further examination during future court proceedings.
Prosecutors Cite Prior Driving History
During arguments supporting Stevenson’s detention, prosecutors referenced a lengthy history of traffic-related offenses spanning several decades.
According to court records presented during the hearing, the history includes previous DUI arrests, reckless driving convictions, speeding violations, and fleeing law enforcement. Prosecutors also cited a 2023 speeding conviction involving excessive speed.
The court will ultimately determine what relevance, if any, this history has to the current criminal case.
Community Mourns Magdalena Jablonska
The loss of Magdalena Jablonska has generated an outpouring of sympathy throughout Des Plaines, McHenry County, and neighboring communities.
Friends and loved ones have shared tributes remembering her life and offering support to her grieving family, particularly her husband, who survived the collision.
At the time of publication, no official obituary, funeral arrangements, or memorial service details have been publicly announced by the family.
GoFundMe and Family Support
As public interest surrounding the tragedy continues, many people have asked whether a GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Magdalena Jablonska’s family.
At the time of publication, no verified GoFundMe fundraiser has been publicly confirmed by the family or law enforcement authorities. Readers wishing to provide assistance are encouraged to rely only on fundraisers shared through verified family members or trusted official sources to avoid potential scams.
Should an authorized fundraising campaign be announced, this article will be updated accordingly.
Boating Safety Reminder
Fatal boating collisions remain relatively uncommon but often involve excessive speed, alcohol impairment, or failure to observe navigation rules.
Safety officials encourage all boat operators to:
- Never operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Obey posted no-wake zones and local speed restrictions.
- Maintain a proper lookout for nearby watercraft.
- Ensure all passengers have access to properly fitted life jackets.
- Follow Illinois boating safety regulations at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Magdalena Jablonska?
Magdalena Jablonska was a 48-year-old resident of Des Plaines, Illinois, who died following a boating collision on the Fox River in McHenry.
What caused the Fox River boating accident?
The exact cause remains under investigation. Prosecutors allege that another boat operator was traveling at a high speed while under the influence of alcohol before striking Jablonska’s boat.
Has anyone been charged?
Yes. Richard Stevenson has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence. The charges remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted in court.
Was Magdalena Jablonska’s husband injured?
Yes. According to prosecutors, her husband survived the collision and was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
Has the family announced funeral arrangements?
No. As of publication, the family has not publicly released funeral, visitation, or memorial service information.
Editorial Note
This article is based on information released by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office, statements presented during court proceedings, and law enforcement reports. Because the criminal investigation remains active, some facts may evolve as additional evidence is presented in court. Future updates will reflect officially confirmed information while maintaining accuracy, fairness, and respect for all individuals involved.