According to the incident report, the two deputies present at the scene, standing on the submerged vehicle, requested tools to break the window in order to potentially rescue whoever was inside. The report noted that several tools were utilized in an attempt to gain access to the victim.
Although a dive team was sought, none were available at the time of the incident, as detailed in the document.
Meanwhile, a tow truck arrived to offer assistance but was unable to reach Chao’s vehicle due to the short length of the cable. After a longer cable was procured, the car was successfully pulled from the pond, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Chao was discovered unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene following unsuccessful resuscitation efforts, according to the outlet.
Mitch McConnell’s Sister-in-Law Dies in Tesla Accident, Backing Vehicle into Pond (Credits: TMJ4)
Requests for additional information about the accident from the Blanco County Fire Department and emergency services went unanswered.
In a letter obtained by the American-Statesman, it was stated that despite preliminary investigations suggesting an unfortunate accident, the Sheriff’s Office was treating the incident as a criminal matter until sufficient evidence ruled out criminal activity.
Following Chao’s death, McConnell, the Senate’s longest-serving party leader, announced his decision to step down from his position.
“This has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaine’s younger sister Angela just a few weeks ago,” McConnell stated on Feb. 28.
“When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there’s a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is God’s way of reminding you of your own life’s journey to reprioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leave behind,” McConnell added.
