A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney tells of the implementation of a criminal statute sponsored by the late State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis of Zion. She introduced the bill after a Chair-of-Lakes accident in which a drunk boater killed people.
Wonder Lake Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Boating Death
Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that 55 year old Ricky McGuire, of Wonder Lake, was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Operating a Watercraft under the Influence of Alcohol.
McGuire faced a possible sentence of probation or three to fourteen years in prison. McGuire was found guilty on September 17, 2010 after a five day jury trial. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before finding the defendant guilty.
On weekend boating is a popular use of Wonder Lake.
The trial testimony revealed that the defendant had a blood alcohol level of .179 when his boat collided with another watercraft on Wonder Lake in the early morning hours of July 6, 2008.
As a result of that collision, 21 year old Nicole Jurgens was killed. This case was investigated by Officer Rich Reidel of the Illinois Conservation Police.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Combs and Patrick Kenneally.
This is a terrible tragedy, and it further supports the need for more stringent measures when it comes to giving people boat licenses.
According to what I’ve heard, Mr. McGuire was sentenced to 10 years in November of 2013; however, I’ve learned that he will be released in July of 2014; how is that possible?
He killed my granddaughter, Nicole Jurgens in July of 2008 and he’s getting out this year?
Please let me know if I’m right or not!