Lisle man Richard Stevenson charged in fatal Fox River boat crash allegedly had BAC nearly 3 times legal limit

A Lisle, Illinois, man accused of causing a deadly boat crash on the Fox River this past weekend allegedly had a blood alcohol content level nearly three times the legal limit at the time.

Richard Stevenson, 45, was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence after investigators said the triple-engine pontoon boat he was operating collided with another boat on Saturday afternoon — killing one woman and injuring another. 

Calling him a "ticking time bomb that tragically went off," prosecutors said Stevenson has a history of speeding, evading police, and driving under the influence. 

Stevenson's passengers told investigators he was stumbling on the dock before the crash.

According to the criminal complaint filed by McHenry County prosecutors, Stevenson had his boat at full throttle in a posted no-wake zone when he lost control, colliding with the other boat before striking timber along the west bank of the river. Prosecutors said Stevenson was going nearly 80 mph at the time he hit the other boat.

Stevenson remained at the scene and was taken to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, where prosecutors say a toxicology report showed his blood alcohol content was 0.236, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08. 

A woman sitting in the passenger's seat on the other boat was killed instantly, prosecutors said. Her name has not been released. Her husband, who was driving the other boat, was seriously hurt.

Prosecutors said two people riding in Stevenson's boat with him were not seriously hurt.

The boat's three-engine setup also drew attention. Some boating experts have questioned whether that much power is necessary on a pontoon.

"It's becoming more common, but in my opinion, it seems a little bit overkill," said Ben Brandano with Boat Safe Chicago.

At a detention hearing on Monday afternoon, a McHenry County judge ordered Stevenson to remain in jail while he awaits trial.

Stevenson's criminal history dates back to 1997. Prosecutors said, over an eight-year period, he was found guilty of speeding, reckless driving, DUI, and evading police. Court records from Florida show he was cited for careless operation of a boat in Miami-Dade County in 2022. The violation was resolved after he paid a penalty.

Stevenson's defense attorney said he is a father of three and the sole provider for his family. He is due back in court on Aug. 5.