Tracks Lead to Body in Car Below Ice

PORTERSVILLE, Pa. â€”  Divers searching a frozen lake found the body of a 55-year-old woman who apparently got lost and did not know she was driving on ice, relatives and authorities said Wednesday.

The body of Betty L. Martof was found in a car submerged in 12 feet of water in Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park a day after park officials reported vehicle tracks leading to a hole in the ice.

Authorities initially thought that it was a winter joyride turned tragic because of circular tracks, and said it appeared someone was doing “doughnuts� on the ice.

Authorities now think Martof somehow ended up on a park road and then a snowmobile trail that led to the lake. Her car drove for about half a mile on the lake -- including leaving tire tracks in tight circles -- before it sank into the water.

“I don’t think she had any idea she was on ice,� state police Sgt. Theodore Swartzlander said.

Relatives said Martof was known to occasionally get lost or disoriented when she drove.

“She would drive and not know where she was going,� said Arlene Martof, a former sister-in-law of the victim. “She would get on the turnpike and drive and not know where to get off.�

Divers were called out after muskrat trappers saw the hole and the tire tracks and alerted park officials.

The ice was 2 to 3 inches thick, said park manager Obie Derr. The park recommends that skaters and fishermen stay off until the ice is at least 4 inches thick, he said.