The death of a 21-year-old woman in a Sunday morning boating crash on Wonder Lake has family and friends stunned and saddened.

Rick L. McGuire, 53, of the 4700 block of East Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake, was charged with operating a watercraft under the influence, a Class 2 felony, after the crash about 12:42 a.m. Sunday that killed Nicole Jurgens, said Paris Ervin of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Aunt Valerie Sangermano of Woodridge on Monday said Jurgens, the third of six daughters, had been living in Wonder Lake and baby-sitting for some time after her family relocated to Wisconsin.

"She was into boating, she was into fishing, she loved to travel," Sangermano said.

Jurgens had traveled to Las Vegas, Texas and Kentucky, her aunt said.

"She just will think of nothing of packing up the car and driving cross county to go visit somebody or go meet somebody," Sangermano said. "She just honestly had a joyful life. She was one of those people you would just gravitate toward. She had the most beautiful smile."

IDNR officials said McGuire had three passengers in his boat, at least one of whom was related to him, while Jurgens was the only passenger of a boat driven by David Lebrecht, 49, of Wonder Lake. Both were recreational motor boats at least 17 feet in length.

Cindy Lebrecht, David Lebrecht's wife, said he was unable to speak about the incident Monday afternoon. She said the family had known Jurgens since she was 4 years old and the pair went fishing.

"The community is missing out on a great young lady," Cindy Lebrecht said.

Friend Leroy Epperson, who is on leave from the military police stationed in Fort Belvoir, Va., and normally resides in McHenry, said he saw Jurgens on Saturday evening.

"I went to go pick her up from the Lebrecht's house, and she was sleeping," Epperson said. "She was just really tired from the night before, and she said she was going to call me later that night. She didn't call, and then I found out the next morning what had happened."

Lebrecht was taken to Northern Illinois Medical Center, where he was treated and then released.

Jurgens also was transported but was pronounced dead at 1:24 a.m., Deputy Coroner Robert Locke said.

An autopsy Monday revealed that Jurgens died from trauma to the chest, abdomen, and pelvis consistent with the crash, Locke said. Results of a toxicology test will not be available for about four weeks, and a formal hearing as to the manner of death will be conducted after that, Locke said.

Ervin said authorities still were working to determine how the crash occurred and how Jurgens suffered her fatal injuries.

"We are in the process of interviewing witnesses and reconstructing the scene," Ervin said.

Epperson attended school with Jurgens since middle school.

"She was a very caring person," Epperson said. "She always helped everybody, and she was always there to be with them, always close friends."

McGuire was released from the McHenry County Jail on Monday after paying 10 percent of a $25,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday at the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock.