An alleged incident involving a man operating a pontoon boat while intoxicated at high speeds on the Fox River in Illinois resulted in a tragic accident that decapitated a woman on another vessel.
Local residents captured footage of the suspect, Richard Stevenson, speeding along the river throughout the day, despite the area being a no-wake zone.
Following his arrest, tests confirmed Stevenson was above the legal alcohol limit.
This tragic incident has left the community in shock.
CBS News provides further details:
Man from Lisle Charged in Fatal Boat Collision on Fox River near McHenry County
A man has been charged in connection with the fatal boat collision on the Fox River near McHenry County that occurred on a Saturday afternoon.
Authorities state that 45-year-old Richard Stevenson from Lisle was apprehended around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. He faces charges of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence.
Footage from neighbors shows the speed at which Stevenson’s pontoon was allegedly moving before it collided with another boat, resulting in a fatality. Witnesses estimate the boat was traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour.
The community was not surprised to learn that the pontoon in question was central to the investigation, given its reputation.
Trevor Morris, a local resident, recounted hearing the boat speed past while he was outside with his daughter. Another neighbor provided video evidence of the pontoon zooming by, taken just a minute before the collision occurred downstream around 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The collision involved two people on the impacted boat, which sustained significant damage. One person was pronounced dead, and the other was in critical condition. CBS News Chicago reported that the deceased was a woman, though her identity remained undisclosed as of Sunday night.
WIFR News sheds light on the driver’s alcohol consumption:
Stevenson was discovered in the trees near the shoreline where his pontoon came to a stop, according to law enforcement. Two other individuals on the pontoon reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived.
Officials reported that Stevenson was taken to Northwestern Hospital in McHenry, where tests showed a blood alcohol concentration of .200, significantly exceeding Illinois’ legal limit of .08.
Witnesses informed officers that Stevenson had been consuming alcohol all day while navigating both the Chain O’ Lakes and the Fox River at high velocities.
See a video report below:
ALERT: Prolific DUI driver decapitates a woman when he was allegedly drunk driving a pontoon boat 80 MPH in a no-wake zone.
Richard Stevenson, 45, was seen flying across the Fox River in Illinois in his 30-foot pontoon boat, expected to be traveling 80 MPH.
Stevenson was seen… pic.twitter.com/jUpeazIdMO
— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) July 28, 2026
The victim’s family is undoubtedly devastated by this tragedy.
Fortunately, it seems likely that this individual will no longer have the opportunity to operate a boat.
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