On Monday, September 4, 2023, at approximately 9:25 pm, I (SGT 1) received a call regarding a boat accident that occurred on the Fox River, approximately 50 yards southeast of the Snuggery Roadhouse Restaurant in McHenry.

The operator and three passengers were traveling northbound on the Fox River and the river made a bend towards the northwest which the operator did not observe and instead continued traveling north and ran into the shoreline and guardrail off N. River Road, approximately 50 yards southeast of the Snuggery Restaurant, McHenry.  The two female passengers were transported to the Northwestern Hospital in McHenry for injuries sustained.
 
I approached the operator and owner of the watercraft, later identified as Operator and asked what had happened.  Operator stated they had been out on the water for several hours and were headed back to the upper lakes where they had launched from.  He stated that he was only traveling around 20 mph and due to it being dark he did not see the bend in the river and ran aground and into the guardrail.  When asked if he had been drinking, Operator stated "No. I have not had anything to drink."  However, Operator's eyes were both glassy and bloodshot in appearance and I could smell the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.

Video taken from a nearby residence shows the pontoon boat traveling north on the Fox River around 8:44 pm and seconds later a loud crash could be heard to the north.  The pontoon had both its bow and stern lights illuminated and estimated speeds of 30mph.

Bruceski Marine arrived and transported the watercraft from the accident scene.
 
There was major front end damage to the pontoon boat and aluminum pontoons themselves, in addition to extensive damage to the guard rail off North River Road.  Damage estimate from the McHenry Township Road District was for $1,800 to repair damage incurred to the guard rail.
Fox River
McHenry                       