An Illinois man with a history of alcohol-related and reckless-driving charges has been ordered held in custody after authorities say he drunkenly piloted a pontoon boat over another vessel on the Fox River, killing and decapitating a woman onboard.
Richard Stevenson, 45, of Lisle, faces two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing death and one count of reckless homicide in connection with the July 25 collision.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. south of the McHenry Dam in McHenry, according to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege Stevenson was operating a 31-foot Southbay pontoon at an “extremely high rate of speed” when it struck the rear of a 20-foot Crownline boat. The larger pontoon reportedly climbed onto and traveled over the smaller vessel.
Illinois Conservation Police officers arrived to find the Crownline severely damaged and a 48-year-old woman dead from catastrophic injuries. Prosecutors said the impact decapitated her.
The woman’s identity had not been released publicly.
Stevenson’s pontoon continued until it ran aground nearby. Authorities said Stevenson was subsequently located among trees near the shoreline where the boat had stopped.
Two other people who had reportedly been aboard the pontoon left before officers arrived and were not present when law enforcement reached the scene.
Stevenson was taken to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital following the crash. During his detention hearing, prosecutors alleged that a blood test placed his blood-alcohol concentration at approximately 0.200—two and a half times Illinois’ legal limit for operating a boat.
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that Stevenson had been drinking throughout the day while operating the pontoon. They also described him traveling at high speeds on the Chain O’ Lakes and Fox River shortly before the collision.
Prosecutors said the fatal crash was not Stevenson’s first encounter with authorities over allegedly dangerous behavior involving vehicles. Evidence presented at the hearing showed that he had previously faced three DUI charges, 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 while arguing that Stevenson should remain behind bars.
Judge Cynthia D. Lamb granted the state’s petition to deny Stevenson pretrial release.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese said waterways intended for recreation should not become dangerous because of intoxicated or reckless operators.
“Our rivers and lakes should be places where families can safely enjoy time together, not places where the reckless and impaired can turn a summer day into a tragedy,” Freese said. “No family should have to endure the unimaginable loss suffered in this case.”
Freese offered prayers and condolences to the victim’s family and said her office would pursue justice for the woman, her loved ones and the surrounding community.
Stevenson is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 5. The charges against him remain allegations unless and until he is convicted.
