A mother of three has tragically passed away two years after consuming a margarita cocktail that was reportedly tainted with “industrial cleaner.”
Holly Hill, aged 30, was on a Valentine’s Day outing at a Mexican bar in 2023 when she unknowingly drank the margarita.
Shortly after tasting the drink, Holly hurried to the restroom feeling unwell. “Her mouth felt like it was burning, and she sensed something was wrong,” disclosed her mother, Kelly Hunter, to News 9.
“She immediately got up, dashed to the bathroom, began vomiting, and rinsed her mouth with water.” According to her family, Holly’s subsequent margarita of the evening contained “industrial cleaning solution.”
The purported strong chemical caused severe damage to Holly’s throat and esophagus, leading to multiple medical procedures over two years.
Her mother mentioned that the “hole in her esophagus had not fully healed, though it had improved slightly and was less inflamed.”
Holly had to rely on tube feeding and was gearing up for a swallow assessment. Unfortunately, complications arose, and Holly passed away last Thursday.
Just before her demise, Holly had undergone another surgery, but her condition abruptly deteriorated. “As they were preparing to transfer her, she lost her pulse,” her mother recounted.
In a tribute to Holly, a cherished educator at Elgin Public Schools, it was stated: “Over the past two and a half years, while continuing to teach and care for her family, Holly faced a prolonged and challenging medical journey.”
A colleague at her school described the tragic loss as “unfathomable” and remarked, “Holly was a devoted teacher, Elgin Alumni, and beloved mother and spouse.”
Holly’s family holds Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin, Oklahoma, accountable and pursued legal action before arriving at a confidential settlement earlier this year.
Kelly, her mother, voiced, “We demand accountability for the loss of my daughter’s life caused by them. It may have been a lengthy battle, but ultimately, they are at fault.”
Authorities have now launched a criminal investigation. Acting Elgin Police Chief Ralph Parsons mentioned that the department, in collaboration with the Comanche County District Attorney, enlisted the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to take charge, as reported by The Sun.
Parsons stated, “State investigators will commence an initial inquiry into this matter and will receive support from the Elgin Police Department.”
While the restaurant has not commented on Holly’s passing, they posted a message on social media in May 2023 expressing regret for the incident. They wrote, “We deeply regret what transpired … in our ten years of operation, such an incident has never occurred, an occurrence that should have never happened.”
Holly’s family remains resolute in seeking justice. Kelly emphasized, “Our primary objective now is to raise awareness about what occurred at that establishment and to discourage further patronage.”
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