Indiana Mom Dies After Drinking Too Much Water

MONTICELLO, IN — The family of a 35-year-old woman is raising awareness about water toxicity after the mother of two died while visiting an Indiana lake over the Fourth of July weekend, according to reports.

Ashley Summers had been boating for several days at Lake Freeman near Monticello when she became dehydrated and drank an estimated 64 ounces of water in 20 minutes, WRTV reported.

"It was really hot, and they were out on the water," her uncle, Deon Miller, told The Messenger. "Then, on July 4, she had a headache and felt really thirsty. She thought she must have been dehydrated, so she drank like four bottled waters in half an hour."

She collapsed after returning home from the trip, The Messenger reported. Summers suffered brain swelling, which cut off the blood supply to the organ, her brother, Devon Miller, said in a Facebook post.

Summers’ husband, Cody, tried to revive her with CPR, Deon Miller said. He "got her going a little bit," but ultimately she had to be placed on a ventilator.

“By Tuesday evening she was unconscious in the hospital and never woke up again,” Devon Miller said. “If she would have drank Gatorade, or took in the water more slowly, she would be alive.”

Also known as hyponatremia, water toxicity occurs when an excessive amount of water dilutes sodium in the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Severe hyponatremia can cause brain tissue to swell, leading to seizures, coma and death.

Summers, of Monticello, died July 6 at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, according to her obituary. She worked as a daycare professional and at one point owned her own daycare, and she loved softball and coached her children's softball teams.

"Ashley loved her time on the lake and spending time with her family, and friends," the obituary said. "She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and family was her everything. Her family is thankful that she was able to continue her love through organ donation with Indiana Donor Network, giving the gift of life to many others."