Peggy Eileen Mihecoby

© The Chickasha Express-Star

2 December 2004

Submitted by: Alex Carter

WOMAN DIES IN LAKE BURTSCHI

A Chichasha woman is dead after driving her car into the cold waters of Lake Burtschi.

Peggy Eileen Mihecoby, 47, died affter she drove her red Pontiac off the boat ramp and into Lake Burtschi at approximately 7:30 p.m. last night, according to the report by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Witnesses at the scene called 911 after watching the Pontiac go into the lake. Sheriff's deputies, Highway Patrol, Chickasha Fire Department, and other local volunteer fire departments responded to the scene immediately.

Upon arriving at the lake, it became clear that the Grady County Sheriff's Dive Team would have to be called out to recover the car, which was approximately 20 to 30 feet from shore.

Deputies Gary Redburn and Chuck Berryhill, having to travel from their homes in the Tuttle/Bridge Creek area, arrived at the scene by 8:40 p.m.

While waiting on the dive team, firefighters attempted to reach the car themselves, repeatedly entering the cold water without protective gear.

They were able to hook the vehicle once and move it a short distance, but were unable to remove it from the water.

The deputies prepped to dive and were in the water by 9:30 p.m. Undersheriff Irene Perske said that the divers were in the water approximetely 15 minutes while the car and driver were extracted.

Even though Mihecoby had spent a couple of hours in the cold water, the medical team reportedly felt that they might be able to resuscitate her.

Mihecoby was treated by Chickasha EMS while being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, but was Pronounced dead on arrival by the medical examiner.