Shipping tycoon Angela Chao was drunk when she inadvertently reversed her Tesla into a pond and drowned last month at a Texas ranch, police say.

Blanco County Sheriff’s Office found her blood alcohol level was nearly three times the state’s legal limit.

The 50-year-old died after dinner on 10 February with a group of friends at the estate near Johnson City.

Her brother-in-law, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, cited the tragedy in his resignation speech.

On Wednesday, Blanco County Sheriff’s Office released the findings of its investigation concluding Ms Chao’s death was an “unfortunate accident”.

  • thesmokingman@programming.dev
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    8 months ago

    What about a death from a drunk driver is an “unfortunate accident?” It’s not an accident, first of all, because you have to intentionally choose to break the law and operate heavy machinery while blitzed. Second of all it’s not unfortunate it’s fucking preventable because you have to intentionally choose to the break the law and operate heavy machinery while sloshed. I’d even go so far as to say it was fortunate because the drunk driver killed themself instead of someone else which a huge consequence that has led to it being against the law to operate heavy machinery while fucking hammered.

    “Gee we’re sorry this person did the thing we tell you not to do from before you start driving it’s so unfortunate they made an intentional choice to endanger the life of anyone around them including themself this very bad decision we tell you not to make was clearly an accident”

      • Schmuppes@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        It’s pretty unlikely she got into the vehicle to do donuts on the front lawn. It is pretty likely she was gonna enter public roads while intoxicated behind the wheel, and I applaud her for preventing herself from doing it. Permanently.

      • BreakDecks
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        8 months ago

        It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influnce anywhere in the state of Texas.

        • BreakDecks
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          8 months ago

          Seems a little out of their jurisdiction tbh.

          • prole@sh.itjust.works
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            8 months ago

            Lol police exist to protect private property, of course it’s within their jurisdiction.

      • Blackmist@feddit.uk
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        8 months ago

        Probably depends where you are. Evidence does suggest however that it is very unwise regardless of the legality.

      • Rob T Firefly@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        It turns out a surprising amount of illegal things are still illegal even if you do them at home.

        nervously checks on secret basement sweatshop full of kidnapped children sewing knockoff designer jeans

    • prole@sh.itjust.works
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      8 months ago

      I mean, it’s definitely still an accident. Getting behind the wheel wasn’t an accident, and obviously she shouldn’t have done it, but reversing into a body of water and drowning to death wasn’t an intentional act. Don’t be absurd.