Angela Chao, the CEO of a shipping industry company and sister-in-law to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, tragically lost her life last month in Texas after driving into a pond while intoxicated, as per a law enforcement report released Wednesday.
The investigation conducted by the Blanco County Sheriff’s Office determined that Chao’s death was the result of an “unfortunate accident,” with her blood alcohol level measuring nearly three times the state’s legal limit.
Chao, aged 50, passed away on the night of February 10 following a dinner gathering with a large group at a ranch near Johnson City, west of Austin. The report recounts a frantic scene as friends and deputies made efforts to extract Chao from her Tesla after it backed into the pond adjacent to a guest lodge on the property.
According to a friend named Amber Keinan, Chao called her at 11:42 p.m. and informed her that the car was submerged in water and she was unable to escape. The conversation lasted 8 minutes as the vehicle slowly sank.
“Chao informed Keinan that the water level was rising and she feared for her life, expressing her love and bidding farewell,” the report details.
Friends swam towards the sinking car while another utilized a kayak to reach it, as outlined in the report. A call to 911 was made at 11:55 p.m. and lasted for 11 minutes.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement officials and firefighters, attempts were made to enter the submerged Tesla. They broke the window on the driver’s side, and a deputy reached inside until he located Chao’s hand.
