Grayslake High technology chief accused of DUI in fatal boating crash
Grayslake High School District's technology director had a blood-alcohol level more than double the legal threshold when his boat collided with another vessel early Sunday, killing a 21-year-old woman, state officials said.
Rick L. McGuire, 55, of 4713 E. Wonder Lake Road in the namesake village, is free on $2,500 bail. He was charged with operating a water craft under the influence of alcohol resulting in the death of an individual, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. McGuire was not injured, reports stated.
IDNR spokeswoman Paris Ervin said test results that became available Wednesday showed McGuire's blood-alcohol content measured .179 - more than double the legal threshold of .08.
Laurie Kimbrel, associate superintendent for programs and personnel at Grayslake District 127, confirmed McGuire is the director of technology. She declined further comment Wednesday.
Ervin said McGuire was piloting an 18-foot 2000 Sea Ray when the crash occurred about 12:50 a.m. Sunday, northwest of Center Beach on Wonder Lake in McHenry County.
Nicole Jurgens of Elkhorn, Wis., died as a result of injuries to the chest, pelvis and abdomen she suffered after the 15-foot 1974 Starcraft she was riding in collided with McGuire's boat, according to the McHenry County coroner's office.
Authorities said Jurgens was the lone passenger on the boat driven by David Lebrecht, 50, of Wonder Lake. Ervin said Lebrecht was treated for injuries and later released from Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry.
Lebrecht's wife, Cindy, said her husband and Jurgens were fishing. She said Jurgens was friends with the couple's daughters.
"We've known her since she was 4," Cindy Lebrecht said. "She was like our own daughter. She called us mom and dad."
Cindy Lebrecht said her daughters were away Sunday, but Jurgens still decided to visit Wonder Lake to fish. Jurgens waited for David Lebrecht to return home from work about 4 p.m. Sunday so they could go on the water together.
Ervin said three passengers on McGuire's boat weren't injured. They were: Karen L. McGuire, 49, of the same Wonder Lake address as Rick McGuire; Matthew Edward Schwall, 33, of Prescott, Ariz.; and Sharon A. Bawer, 46, of Greenville, Wis.
Ervin said the crash remains under investigation by conservation police. Authorities said a reconstruction of the crash is planned.
Rick McGuire couldn't be reached for comment. District 127 board President Glen Eriksson didn't return telephone messages.