Man Gets 10 Years In Fatal Boating Crash

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (STMW) - A northwest suburban man will spend 10 years in prison for a 2008 drunken boat crash in McHenry County that killed a Wisconsin man.

Ricky McGuire, 55, of Wonder Lake was found guilty on Sept. 17 after a five-day jury trial of two counts of aggravated operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, a release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's office said.

On Friday, McGuire was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a release said.

McGuire, a Grayslake High School District faculty member at the time of the crash, crashed his 18-foot Sea Ray boat about 12:30 a.m. July 6, 2008, into a 15-foot Starcraft boat driven by 50-year-old Wonder Lake resident David Lebrect, authorities said. The crash happened on Wonder Lake northwest of Center Beach.

The only passenger on the smaller boat -- 21-year-old Nicole Jurgens, of Genoa City, Wis. -- died of severe chest, pelvis and stomach injuries, according to the McHenry County Coroner's office.

Lebrect was taken to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry, where he was treated and release.

McGuire, who had a blood-alcohol level of .179 -- more than twice the legal limit -- was not injured.