Current Events > Woman dies 2 1/2 years after drinking margarita mixed with industrial degreaser

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um2tj3I6lcg

ELGIN, Okla. (KSWO/Gray News) An elementary school teacher from Oklahoma is dead after her family says she was served a margarita at a Mexican restaurant that had industrial-grade degreaser in it.

Holly Hill, a beloved teacher at Elgin Public Schools and an alumnus of the school, died last week.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating Hills death as suspicious, but findings have not been released.

Hills mother, Kelly Hunter, said her daughters life changed forever two and a half years ago when she visited Hacienda Las Margaritas in Elgin.

The allegations are highlighted in a civil lawsuit.

Hunter said her daughter was served a margarita that was made with industrial degreaser that contained lye, and that lye damaged her esophagus to the point that my daughters been fighting for life for two and a half years.

Hill spent a week in the hospital, but it took more than 12 weeks to keep her esophagus open.

I started to really worry when my baby girl woke up, and I had to tell her she couldnt eat or drink anything for 30 days. Shed be upset, but she smiled at me and said, I could do that, Hunter said.

After she believed she had finally recovered, Hill returned to her normal life as an elementary school teacher and bus driver.

As usual, she got up and went back to work because her kids needed her, Hunter said.

But recently, while Hill was at work, she began to feel unwell and spiked a fever. She decided to finish her day at home in bed and planned to go to the hospital in the morning.

But overnight, her mother received a tragic phone call from her daughter.

And about 1:18 a.m., she called me, and she was gasping for breath and telling me that she couldnt breathe, she needed help, Hunter said.

Hunter said she rushed to help her daughter.

She told me, Im dying mom, but I need you to know that I love yall. And I said, Youre not going to die baby girl, youre too strong for that, Hunter said.

Hills husband was on the phone with 911 operators when she lost her pulse. Thats when Hunter stepped in and started CPR.

I really dont know how long I did CPR, it seemed like forever, Hunter said.

When first responders arrived, Hunter thought her daughter was going to be OK because she got her pulse back.

But Hill lost her pulse again when the first responders tried to move her. This time, she was unable to be revived.

I sat there and watched my baby die right in front of me. Its like my heart broke, and thats not even scratching the surface, Hunter said.

A civil lawsuit alleges the Mexican restaurant is responsible for Hills death after their margarita caused long-lasting esophagus issues.

Hacienda Las Margaritas confirmed the drink was served to Hill in February 2023, calling it unfortunate and isolated.

In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday afternoon, the restaurant said it consulted the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement afterward to implement new training and safeguards.

The restaurant also said the civil matter was resolved earlier this year. The family confirmed a settlement with the restaurant had been reached.

But Hunter says she believes someone should face criminal charges.

What I would like is criminal charges filed and someone held accountable for my daughters death, Hunter said.

Hunter is remembering her daughter as loud with beautiful dimples and always had a smile on her face and had beautiful blue eyes.

And she was energetic and caring. She loved babies and kids. And she was honestly my best friend, Hunter said.

https://www.kcbd.com/2025/10/29/teacher-died-after-being-served-margarita-mexican-restaurant-with-industrial-degreaser-it-family-says/

Terrible situation...

That's fucking awful.

I'm baffled the restaurant is still open

That cant be an accident they killed her, thats also my greatest fear too, some stranger thats messed up in the head thinks they getting payback to the world and serves up a poisoned drink or plate of food

That is insane. Corrosive cleaning stuff, too.

That's really fucking sad, jeez.

Also terrifying to think that one screw up like that can fuck you up that badly.

This is the same stuff used in that scene from fight club

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvtUrjfnSnA

Honestly kind of a miracle she didn't die immediately. I hope the family gets some compensation for this.

How does this even begin to happen by mistake?

Fuck yeah someone should go to prison for this so that it never happens to anyone again, ever.

JohnEtrav posted...

How does this even begin to happen by mistake?

Container probably wasn't cleaned properly is my guess. Not clear if it's whatever they used to mix it or the cup itself.

Amocat posted...

That cant be an accident they killed her, thats also my greatest fear too, some stranger thats messed up in the head thinks they getting payback to the world and serves up a poisoned drink or plate of food

it could be as easy as someone putting a cleaning agent in an unlabeled container and leaving it around.

the restaurant probably didnt get shut down because thats a one time mistake that could happen anywhere people were careless/not trained well enough.

the civil suit will probably cost them enough to shut them down though, so thats good

JohnEtrav posted...

How does this even begin to happen by mistake?

Fuck yeah someone should go to prison for this so that it never happens to anyone again, ever.

it actually happens pretty often, its just not often that it results in death

a buffalo Wild Wings manager around here died a few years ago because someone mixed bleach with delimer which creates chlorine gas

Awful, just awful....

This is tragic. Interesting she has the same name as the main female character in Diary of a Wimpy Kid though.

RIP

There should be criminal charges.

WesternMedia posted...

This is tragic. Interesting she has the same name as the main female character in Diary of a Wimpy Kid though.

This world needs more cute names