Woman Injured in Barge Accident on Illinois River by Stratton Park in Morris

Personal Injury - September 16, 2025

Investigation Underway After Woman is Struck by Barge in Morris Along the Illinois River

MORRIS, ILLINOIS (September 16, 2025) – A woman was seriously injured in Morris after she was struck by a barge after falling into the Illinois River.

Grundy County officials are saying that the collision took place early Sunday. A woman was on a jet ski with her child when they both fell into the water.

A bystander who witnessed the incident was able to rescue the child from the water. However, the woman was struck by a barge making its way down to the river.

She was rescued from the water and transported to Morris Hospital in a medical helicopter with critical injuries. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Grundy County Boat Accidents

All boat operators in Illinois have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the water. These operators must also observe all navigational rules. Failing to follow navigational rules prior to hitting a pedestrian may be construed as negligence. What follows are some of the navigational rules related to operating a boat near a person in the water.

• Look Out: Boat operators must continuously scan the water ahead of them and slow down to avoid colliding with any person in the water.
• Safe Speed: Boat operators must maintain a safe speed at all times to avoid collisions. They may need to operate at a lower speed during periods of reduced visibility or inclement weather.
• Risk of Collision: Boat operators must use all available means at their disposal to identify collision risks. This includes using radar, vision, and hearing.
• Warning Signals: Boat operators must use their horn to indicate their intentions when they plan to pass or overtake people or vessels in the water.

When the captain of a barge acts negligently, their employer could be held at fault. As a general principle, employers in Illinois can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers–insofar as those workers were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. Crews on a barge may not have been properly trained. A vessel may not have been adequately staffed or equipped.

Steps to Take After an Illinois River Barge Accident

Many people are seriously injured or killed every year in boat accidents. According to the United States Coast Guard, “In calendar year 2024, the Coast Guard verified 3,887 incidents that involved 556 deaths, 2,170 injuries and approximately $88 million of damage to property as a result of recreational boating incidents.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any boat accident.

• Investigation: The U.S. Coast Guard and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources should be called to the scene of any boat accident so that they can investigate.
• Medical Treatment: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation if they were involved in a collision. Many of the injuries associated with these accidents will not be immediately obvious.
• Legal Support: Any person injured in a boat accident should seek the guidance of an experienced boat accident attorney. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and determine what parties could be legally responsible.

Boat accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where boat operators are not paying adequate attention to the waterways ahead of them. They may simply assume that there won’t be pedestrians in certain areas. Moreover, when barge operators are involved in a collision, they will nearly always fight hard to deny any responsibility for what happened. This is why it is so important for victims to seek legal guidance.

Investigating Grundy County Boat Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the woman injured in this barge accident on the Illinois River. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This was a preventable accident that should not have taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. Why didn’t this barge take evasive action to avoid hitting this woman? What is the safety record of this vessel?

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Morris barge accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of boat accident attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.