Family of Marine veteran killed in Fox River crash files wrongful death suit

The family of a woman killed in a boat crash on the Fox River last month has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man who caused it.

Magdalena Jablonska, of Des Plaines, was out on the river with her fiance, Alan Telmini, and their dog, Sasha, on July 25 when they were hit by a speeding boat while in a “no wake zone” in suburban McHenry.

“I heard loud engines. I moved to the left of Maggie and then she was gone,” said Telmini at a news conference Thursday. “I relive that moment every day.”

Richard Stevenson, 45, was driving his pontoon while intoxicated at an “extremely high rate of speed” before he crashed into the couple who had stopped to eat lunch around 2:30 p.m., according to family and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office.

Jablonska, 48, suffered blunt-force injuries to the head and body and was pronounced dead at the scene, said the McHenry County Coroner’s office. Telmini was injured and was taken to a nearby hospital. Sasha was uninjured.

Stevenson, whose blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit, was found in the trees off the shoreline near where his pontoon had come to rest and was placed in custody, prosecutors said.

He was charged with one count of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI causing death.

Jablonska’s family says they want justice.

“She used to say everything happens for a reason but this didn’t have to happen,” said Michelle Macias, Jablonska’s younger sister, at the news conference.

The lawsuit alleges Stevenson was operating his boat at more than 75 mph as he approached a no-wake zone where the crash occurred.

According to the lawsuit, Stevenson had a duty to operate his boat safely but instead acted recklessly, causing Jablonska’s death and endangering everyone else on the river.

Telmini said they just wanted to “enjoy their day” when they went out on the river. Something the couple often did in the summers. He said there were several boaters out on the river that day.

“We want to see justice,” he said. “That other people are going to be safe on the river.”

Jablonska’s family is suing Stevenson for wrongful death, personal injuries and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Stevenson has a history of driving a motor vehicle under the influence. He had previously been charged on three occasions with DUI, reckless driving and speeding.

Stevenson worked as vice president of sales at his family’s company Stevenson Crane. But attorneys representing the Jablonska’s family said the company is now denying he held a managerial role.

“We’re talking about a very wealthy family that has an incredibly successful wealthy corporation that enables their spoiled son to go out and buy a half million-dollar boat for cash, live on his boat, party on his boat and be a menace to people in the community,” said attorney Louis Cairo.

Stevenson Crane could not be reached for comment.

Jablonska was born in Poland and moved to the United States while in elementary school. After graduating from high school, she joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa.

Jablonska later got a job working at Servpro, handling insurance claims. She also served as treasurer of The Women Marine Association IL-2 Blanche S. Osborne Chapter.

“The bond between Marines is lifelong,” said Ann Crittenden, national president of WMA, in a statement. “Though Maggie’s watch has ended far too soon, the impact she made through her service, friendship, and commitment to her fellow Marines will remain with us always.”