Wrongful Death Suit Alleges Speed and Alcohol Led to Tragic Fox River Boating Disaster

 A devastating day on the Fox River has led to both criminal charges and a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal boating collision claimed the life of U.S. Marine veteran Magdalena Jablonska. As her family seeks accountability, the case has drawn renewed attention to allegations of reckless and impaired boating on one of northern Illinois' busiest waterways.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in McHenry County Circuit Court, was brought on behalf of the estate of 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines and her fiancé, Alan Telmini. The complaint names Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, also known as Ricky Stevenson, as the sole defendant. According to the filing, the family is seeking damages following the July 25 crash that resulted in Jablonska's death and left Telmini with physical injuries and emotional trauma.

Prosecutors allege the collision occurred on the Fox River near unincorporated McHenry. The lawsuit states that Telmini was operating a Crownline runabout at a slow speed within a designated no-wake zone near the shoreline when Stevenson's tri-toon pontoon boat approached. The complaint alleges the pontoon, equipped with three 500-horsepower outboard engines, was traveling at more than 75 miles per hour when it struck the smaller vessel.

According to the lawsuit, Stevenson's boat was angled in a manner that allegedly limited the operator's forward visibility. The complaint further alleges he had consumed alcohol before the collision, impairing his ability to safely operate the vessel. Court filings state the impact caused the pontoon boat to ride over the Crownline, resulting in catastrophic injuries that claimed Jablonska's life. Telmini, who witnessed the collision, is also seeking damages for the injuries and emotional suffering he allegedly endured.

The civil complaint accuses Stevenson of negligence, alleging he operated the boat under the influence, failed to maintain a proper lookout, traveled at an unsafe speed, and failed to yield the right-of-way. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000, although the final amount will be determined through the legal process. Attorneys representing Jablonska's estate said their investigation extends beyond the crash itself, noting reports from witnesses who allegedly observed the same boat speeding on the Chain O' Lakes before the fatal incident.

In addition to the civil case, Stevenson is facing criminal proceedings connected to the crash. Prosecutors have charged him with reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI causing death. Those charges remain allegations, and Stevenson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. He remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 21.

The tragedy has deeply affected Jablonska's family, friends, and fellow veterans who continue mourning her loss. Loved ones remember her not only for her military service but also for the life she built with those closest to her. The lawsuit represents another step in the family's effort to seek answers and accountability while the criminal case continues through the judicial system.

As investigators and the courts continue examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, both the civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution remain active. The outcome of those proceedings may provide greater clarity about the events that unfolded on the Fox River, while Jablonska's family continues honoring the memory of a woman whose life ended in a tragedy that has left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.