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A man with a prior record of driving under the influence is being held without bail following a fatal boating accident on Illinois’ Fox River that resulted in the decapitation of a passenger, court documents reveal.
Richard Stevenson, 45, faces multiple charges including aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in connection with the incident that occurred on Saturday. According to the criminal complaint filed Monday, witnesses reported that Stevenson’s boat was traveling at full throttle as it entered a no-wake zone. The vessel collided with another boat, causing the death of a female passenger identified only as M.J.
Court records state that Stevenson’s boat overtook another vessel before crashing into timber on the river’s west bank. Stevenson remained at the scene and was subsequently hospitalized. A blood test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2-well above Illinois’ legal limit of 0.08.
During a hearing on Monday, Judge Cynthia Lamb ordered Stevenson to be held without release, citing concerns that his pretrial release would pose a significant threat to public safety. The judge noted that despite warnings from a passenger, Stevenson operated the boat at approximately 80 mph in a designated no-wake zone, ultimately driving over another vessel and causing the fatal injury.
Stevenson reportedly admitted to a witness that he had been drinking and was operating the boat at the time of the crash. His criminal history includes multiple speeding and reckless driving offenses, as well as two prior DUI convictions.
Stevenson is scheduled for a court appearance on August 5. His attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment. Authorities continue to investigate the tragic incident as the community grapples with the devastating loss.