From the Daily Herald: Over decades of living, working and boating along the Fox River between Algonquin and McHenry, Michael Haber and Bonnie Miske have seen and heard a lot.
But nothing like the crash July 25, south of the McHenry Dam, that took the life of 48-year-old Magdalena Jablonska of Des Plaines.
Jablonska, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was a passenger in a boat driven by her fiance, Alan Telmini. They were in a no-wake zone when a pontoon with three, 500-horsepower engines going 80 mph went up and over the smaller boat, decapitating her and injuring Telmini.
“What happened that day is the first time we’ve ever seen anybody go that speed on the lower river,” said Miske, describing a video they saw of the pontoon whiz by.
“It sent a shock wave through our community,” she added. “There’s nobody who lives here or is part of the boating community that hasn’t been affected by this.”
Lisle resident Richard M. Stevenson, 45, faces charges of aggravated driving under the influence causing death and reckless homicide in McHenry County court. A wrongful-death lawsuit also has been filed.
During a news conference Thursday announcing the wrongful death suit, Telmini said he’d be in favor of any laws that would help “everybody keep safe out there and enjoy the day on the river.”
The crash has made the possibility of imposing speed limits, expanding no-wake zones or other measures to improve safety a hot topic.
State Sen. Craig Wilcox, whose 32nd District includes McHenry, emphasized the public has been very active with ideas, including on social media.
“There’s enough concern,” the McHenry Republican said. “People are looking for something to be done.”
Wilcox said he’s spoken with other legislators representing the area and anticipates a proposal may be forthcoming.
“This was no accident; it was completely avoidable, and my staff and I have already begun to look into what we can do to make boating safer for everyone and are seeking feedback,” said 64th District state Rep. Tom Weber, a Republican from Lake Villa.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy boating on the Chain O’ Lakes and Fox River without fear of another dangerous boater,” he added.
District 63 state Rep. Steve Rieck, a Woodstock Republican, said in a statement said he has contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to “understand what can be done legislatively to prevent a future tragedy like this.”
He said he hopes to have a rough draft of legislation in coming weeks to establish speed limits and an additional police presence on the Fox River.
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