A 45-year-old Illinois man has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence after a boat collision on the Fox River left a woman decapitated, authorities confirmed. Richard M. Stevenson of Lisle appeared in McHenry County court Monday following the July 25 crash, which prosecutors say occurred when his pontoon boat struck another vessel at approximately 80 mph in a no-wake zone.
Crash details and charges filed
Illinois Conservation Police responded to the two-vessel collision at 2:30 p.m. near the Chain O’ Lakes. Officers found a severely damaged 20-foot Crownline with one deceased occupant, identified as a 48-year-old woman who sustained catastrophic injuries. A 31-foot Southbay pontoon, allegedly operated by Stevenson, had run aground nearby.
According to court documents, Stevenson’s boat struck the rear of the Crownline at an “extremely high rate of speed” before riding over the smaller vessel. Judge Cynthia D. Lamb stated during the detention hearing that the impact decapitated one of the passengers. Stevenson was later found in trees along the shoreline, while two other occupants of his boat fled the scene before police arrived.
Blood alcohol level and prior offenses
Stevenson was transported to a hospital, where tests revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2—more than twice Illinois’ legal limit of 0.08. Witnesses told investigators he had been drinking throughout the day and operating the vessel at high speeds on both the Chain O’ Lakes and Fox River prior to the crash.
Court records show Stevenson has three prior DUI convictions, three reckless driving charges, and four misdemeanor speeding offenses. “This man was a ticking time-bomb and that bomb went off this past Saturday on the Fox River,” Deputy Chief Brian Miller said during the hearing.
Prosecutors seek justice for victim’s family
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese called the incident a preventable tragedy, emphasizing that waterways should be safe for families. “No family should have to endure the unimaginable loss suffered in this case,” Freese said. Judge Lamb denied Stevenson pretrial release, and prosecutors continue to build their case. The next court date has not been announced.
