On Saturday, July 25, 2026, a tragic boating accident occurred on the Fox River in Illinois, resulting in the death of a 48-year-old woman and serious injuries to her husband. Richard Stevenson, a 45-year-old man with a history of driving under the influence, was operating a 31-foot pontoon boat at an alarming speed of 80 miles per hour in a no-wake zone when he collided with the smaller boat. The impact was devastating, leading to the woman's decapitation, and she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash. Stevenson was found near the wreckage and was taken to a local hospital, where his blood alcohol concentration was measured at approximately .200, which is two and a half times the legal limit for driving. Witnesses reported that Stevenson had been drinking heavily throughout the day, and surveillance footage confirmed his reckless behavior on the water prior to the incident. Following the crash, he was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence. This incident has raised serious concerns about boating safety and the consequences of driving under the influence, especially given Stevenson's prior record of drunk driving and reckless behavior. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 5, 2026, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.
