Metro-east woman dies after vehicle crashes, sinks into pond
%20(1).jpg "A 59-year-old Breese woman died in the early-morning hours of Feb. 16 when her vehicle missed a turn and sank upside down into a pond, the Monroe County Sheriff reported.")
A 59-year-old Breese woman died early Saturday when the car she was driving crashed and sank into a pond, according to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Dan Travous said in a release that the woman’s husband, the only passenger in the vehicle, made at least three attempts to dive into the cold, dark water to save his wife, but the vehicle was positioned upside down in the pond2.
Susan K. Hilmes was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. Steven A. Hilmes, 65, was treated at the hospital for injuries.
“As the sheriff, I along with those in my office, give our heartfelt condolences to Susan’s family and friends after this tragic loss,” Travous said in a statement. “I would also like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of those who did everything possible to save Susan. The conditions were absolutely brutal this morning, and your efforts were nothing short of heroic.”
According to the release, 911 dispatchers received a call reporting the crash at 12:16 a.m. The caller said the vehicle failed to make a turn near 15028 Rod and Gun Road before hitting the pond. First responders found the vehicle upside down with only its rear wheels breaking the surface of the water.
They also noted a utility pole had been struck and a downed power line was near the submerged vehicle. Clinton County Electric was dispatched to disable the power to the line, and members of the Breese Fire Department were able to cut the safety belt and extract Hilmes from the vehicle, the sheriff said.
According to an obituary, Hilmes had four grown children and nine grandchildren. A celebration of life will be Saturday at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129 starting at 2 p.m.
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM.