GWC Injury Lawyers, LLC announced today that it will file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the Estate of Magdalena Jablonska, who was tragically killed, and her fiancé, Alen Telmini, who was injured, in a boating collision on the Fox River on July 25, 2026. The lawsuit will seek to hold all responsible parties accountable following a crash that claimed Magdalena’s life and injured her fiancé, Alen Telmini, of Des Plaines, Illinois.
According to preliminary investigative reports, Magdalena and Allen were enjoying an afternoon on the Fox River aboard Alen’s 20-foot Crownline runabout when a high-powered tri-toon boat allegedly operated by Richard Stevenson struck and rode over their vessel. Alen was operating his boat in the no wake zone at a very slow speed, with Magdalena sitting to his left with their dog, Sasha, on her lap, when a speeding boat violently struck the rear of the Crown Line, completely flew over the top of it. As the Stevenson boat flew over their heads, one or more of the powerful outboard stern drives and/or propellors struck Magdalena in the head and neck, causing fatal injuries. Authorities have reported that the tri-toon may have been traveling at or near 80 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
The crash occurred in a marked No Wake Zone, an area of the Fox River characterized by narrow waterways, bends, and limited visibility, requiring reduced speeds to protect boaters navigating the river safely. According to publicly available reports and witness accounts, boaters and residents alike have observed this same uniquely designed boat speeding excessively on the Chain of Lakes waterways on numerous occasions.
The lawsuit, which GWC expects to file this week, follows an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision and the potential liability of additional individuals and entities beyond the boat’s operator.
A Thorough Investigation into All Potentially Responsible Parties of Fox River Crash
The Estate is represented by Louis C. Cairo and Michael D. Krause, partners at GWC Injury Lawyers, who say the firm’s investigation extends well beyond the actions of the alleged operator. “The civil justice system exists to hold negligent parties accountable, and we intend to pursue every avenue available under Illinois law. Our mission is to uncover every fact and identify every party whose conduct may have contributed to this tragedy,” said Louis C. Cairo, owner of GWC Injury Lawyers.
The investigation will examine several issues, including:
- Whether individuals or entities with ownership or control of the vessel negligently entrusted it to an unsafe operator.
- Whether any parties knowingly allowed the vessel to be operated by Stevenson despite an alleged history of dangerous conduct.
- Whether establishments that served alcohol before the collision bear legal responsibility under applicable Dram Shop laws.
- Whether the design, horsepower, or configuration of the vessel contributed to the severity of the crash.
- Whether additional parties share responsibility based upon facts that may emerge during discovery.
As part of the investigation, GWC will retain boating safety specialists, accident reconstruction experts, and marine engineering consultants to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Because litigation is in its earliest stages, many of these issues remain under investigation and will be evaluated through discovery and expert analysis.
Fox River Witness Accounts Raise Additional Questions
According to witness accounts and publicly circulated videos from earlier that day, the tri-toon boat was allegedly observed traveling at excessive speeds on the Fox River before the collision. Additional witnesses have reportedly described seeing the vessel operate at unusually high speeds on prior occasions as well. Given past observations of this boat on the Chain, there is little surprise to many that it was involved in a serious collision on the water.
Authorities have also reported that the boat operator’s blood alcohol concentration was more than twice Illinois’ legal limit for operating a watercraft. Criminal proceedings remain pending, Stevenson remains in jail and the criminal offenses will be addressed through the criminal justice system.
“The immediate purpose of our investigation is to create an exact timeline of all of the activities of the participants of this fatality so that we can determine every detail preceding the actual collision. By doing so we can ensure that every available piece of evidence will be identified and preserved,” according to Michael D. Krause, Senior Trial Partner at GWC Injury Lawyers.
A Family Forever Changed
Magdalena Jablonska was 48 years old. She leaves behind her fiancé, her parents, and four siblings. She immigrated from Poland and attended Lane Tech High School and then Illinois Institute of Art and received her Bachelors Degree in Interior Design. Madzia, as she was known by her family, then joined the U.S. Marine Corp. She served for 6 years and was honorably discharged. She was employed with ServePro and was working as a Lead Project Accountant, where she had many friends and co-workers. She was the perfect example of one who lived the American Dream.
What began as a peaceful July summer afternoon on the water ended in unimaginable tragedy for a kind, loving family that continues to mourn the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, and partner. While no civil verdict or settlement can replace Magdalena or erase the grief experienced by those who loved her, the Estate seeks accountability for the conduct that led to her death and for the devastating impact the collision has had on her family.
Seeking Accountability Beyond the Courtroom
In addition to pursuing justice through the civil courts, Magdalena’s family hopes this tragedy will lead to meaningful improvements in boating safety throughout Illinois. Among the issues they hope lawmakers and regulators will examine are:
- Increased enforcement of boating safety laws.
- Stricter speed restrictions in congested waterways.
- Enhanced penalties for operating boats while impaired.
- Additional resources for law enforcement patrolling recreational waterways.
- Stronger regulations governing high-performance recreational vessels.
The family believes these measures could help prevent similar tragedies from occurring on the Fox River, the Chain O’Lakes, and waterways throughout Illinois.
Preserving Critical Evidence of Fox River Crash
GWC Attorneys for the Estate emphasize that filing suit promptly is essential to preserving evidence, identifying witnesses, obtaining electronic data, inspecting the vessel, and compelling production of documents necessary to fully investigate the incident. According to Cairo, “We intend to uncover the truth, preserve every available piece of evidence, and pursue accountability against everyone whose negligence contributed to this devastating loss. Our mission is clear and our resolve will be relentless.”
Krause added that the case carries personal significance for him. “Boating has always been an important part of my family’s life, as well as Lou Cairo’s. Like so many Illinois families, we’ve spent countless days enjoying our lakes and rivers with our children and families while emphasizing safe and responsible boating. This tragedy is heartbreaking could have wiped out an entire family enjoying an afternoon on their boat. It just reminds us that one person’s reckless decisions can forever change the lives of so many.”
Request to Preserve Evidence of Fox River Crash
This suit will be filed this week to ensure that all potential evidence will be preserved so that the Estate can preserve all legal rights it is entitled to, and all responsible will be compelled to answer for their actions. Ensuring that critical evidence is preserved and protected is a critical first step so that the family can get the justice that they so overwhelmingly deserve.
GWC Injury Lawyers is requesting that any person or entity with information related to this incident immediately preserve all potential evidence relevant to the investigation. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, text messages, photographs, videos, dash camera footage, boat-mounted cameras, GPS or navigation data, social media posts, emails, and any other electronic or physical evidence concerning the events before, during, or after the collision.
Individuals who witnessed the crash or who possess photographs, videos, or other information that may assist in the investigation are encouraged to contact Louis C. Cairo as soon as possible. Preserving this evidence is essential to ensuring that the facts surrounding this tragic incident are fully investigated and that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Anyone with information please contact Louis C. Cairo, at [email protected] or (312) 245-2103 or Michael D. Krause at [email protected] or (312)245-2104
About GWC Injury Lawyers
GWC Injury Lawyers represents individuals and families throughout Illinois in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, construction negligence, workplace injury, and personal injury litigation. With more than 60 attorneys and professional staff, the firm has recovered close to $3Billion on behalf of clients who have suffered serious injuries and wrongful death as a result of the negligence of others. The firm remains committed to holding negligent parties accountable.
Press Conference and Media Information
A press conference is expected to be scheduled later this week, likely on Thursday morning, at the offices of GWC Injury Lawyers located at 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 600 in Chicago.
Members of the media interested in attending should contact: Georgia Butera (312) 245-2147
For additional information regarding the litigation, contact:
Louis C. Cairo, at [email protected] (312) 245-2103 or
Michael D. Krause at [email protected] (312)245-2104