‘Reckless and dangerous’: Suit filed in deadly Fox River boat crash

A Lisle man was intoxicated and driving “in a reckless and dangerous manner” July 25 when he caused a Fox River boat crash that took the life of a former U.S. Marine from Des Plaines, according to a wrongful-death lawsuit filed Wednesday.

The suit seeks at least $50,000 in damages for the estate of Magdalena Jablonska and for her fiance Alan Telmni, who was at her side when the deadly collision occurred and survived.

Richard M. Stevenson, 45, faces charges of aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide stemming from the crash. Authorities allege he had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit for driving when he was tested after the crash.

Stevenson is being held in the McHenry County jail pending a scheduled court appearance Aug. 21.

The collision occurred in a “no-wake” zone just south of the McHenry Dam, where boat drivers are required to reduce their speeds.

However, the lawsuit alleges Stevenson was driving at least 75 mph when his boat — a 31-foot tri-toon equipped with three, 500-horsepower engines — rode up the back of a slow-moving, smaller boat driven by Telmni.

“(Stevenson’s boat) literally flew over the top of it and, in the process, one or more of the outboard sterndrives, pontoon tubes, or attached propellers did, in fact, cause a decapitation injury, thus killing Plaintiff, Magdalena Jablonska, and causing physical and mental injuries to Plaintiff, Alan Telmni,” the lawsuit states.

Because of the speed at which he was driving, the front end of Stevenson’s boat was significantly upright over the water, compromising his ability to see other boats in his path, the suit states.

The suit, filed in McHenry County Circuit Court, also alleges that Stevenson was legally impaired when the crash occurred.

Besides the wrongful death of Jablonkska, 48, the suit alleges Stevenson caused physical injuries and emotional distress to Telmni.

“(Telmni) was not only physically struck by the boat on his left side, but he saw his beloved fiancé decapitated while she sat within inches of his person,” the suit states.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs have scheduled a news conference Thursday morning to further discuss the litigation.

Besides her fiance, Jablonska left behind her parents and four siblings.

According to family members, she was a former Marine and “always the sunshine wherever she went.” They established an online fundraiser in her honor to raise money for two dog shelters. As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised more than $30,000.