Commercial Gaming

Woman, 89, Dies Nine Days After Car Plunged Into Pennsylvania Casino Pond

Posted on: August 9, 2026, 03:21h.

Last updated on: August 9, 2026, 03:23h.

Written by

Philip Conneller In Philip Conneller’s eight years with Casino.org, he has covered the gaming industry from Las Vegas to Macau and everything in between. He currently focuses his coverage on gaming law, white-collar crime, global money laundering, tribal gaming, politics, and regulation...
Click for more

Key Points

Jeanette Radzikowski, 89, died nine days after rescuers pulled her from a submerged vehicle at Mount Airy Casino Resort
Police said the vehicle struck a rock curb, became airborne over sloping ground and landed in a retention pond
Authorities have not publicly explained what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway before the fatal July 29 crash

An 89-year-old Pennsylvania woman has died nine days after she was pulled alive from a vehicle after it plunged into a retention pond at Mount Airy Casino Resort, a crash that also killed her husband.

Mount Airy Casino Resort, Jeanette Radzikowski, Pennsylvania casino, Mount Pocono, retention pond — Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pa., above, has several artificial lakes and ponds. It’s still unclear exactly why the vehicle left the roadway before becoming airborne and plunging into the water on July 29. (Image: Getty)

Jeanette Radzikowski, of Dickson City, died Friday, August 7, at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg from complications of blunt-force injuries sustained in the July 29 crash, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. Her death was ruled accidental.

Her husband, 82-year-old John Radzikowski Jr., was driving when their vehicle left a roadway on the grounds of the casino shortly before 4 p.m., according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Airborne Vehicle

Police said the vehicle struck a small rock curb and flew over an embankment before landing in the retention pond and sinking. Because the ground sloped downward between the curb and the water, investigators said, the vehicle did not touch the ground again after becoming airborne.

Emergency crews responding to the resort launched a water rescue after receiving reports of a vehicle submerged in the pond.

Jeanette was removed from the water and rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. John remained inside the vehicle as dive teams and other emergency personnel searched the water. He was later recovered from the submerged vehicle and pronounced dead.

The crash occurred at approximately 3:47 p.m., according to police.

Cause of Crash Unclear

Authorities have not publicly explained what caused Radzikowski to leave the roadway before striking the curb.

The unusual trajectory of the vehicle meant it cleared the sloping ground separating the roadway from the water before entering the pond, according to police.

The incident prompted a large emergency response to the casino resort in Paradise Township, Monroe County. The resort includes a casino, hotel and 18-hole golf course with several artificial lakes and ponds in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.

Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

In Philip Conneller’s eight years with Casino.org, he has covered the gaming industry from Las Vegas to Macau and everything in between. He currently focuses his coverage on gaming law, white-collar crime, global money laundering, tribal gaming, politics, and regulation.

Philip was the original features editor for poker’s Bluff Magazine and editor for Bluff Europe, which he helped launch. His writing has also been featured in ESPN, Forbes, Time Out, The Sun, and The Daily Star, as well as iGaming Business, eGaming Review, and numerous other industry news and tech websites.

His news stories for Casino.org/news have been linked by The Washington Post, The Daily Mail, People Magazine, and Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, among many others.

Philip once won $20,000 with 7-2 off-suit. He has been reprimanded for unwittingly playing Elton John’s piano on two separate occasions on both sides of the Atlantic.

He became a writer because he is a lousy pianist.

Philip lives outside London with his wife and children, where he spends his time agonizing about Arsenal FC.

Contact Philip at philip.conneller@casino.org.