Mt. Pleasant man faces charges in friend's drowning death at Deep Creek Lake

A Mt. Pleasant man has been charged in the death of a Greensburg man this past winter, after the two fell through the ice at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland while riding a side-by-side.

Officers with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources said Ricky A. Wise, 59, of Mt. Pleasant was driving a side-by-side with David T. Linsenbigler, 58, of Greensburg on Feb. 22, 2025, when they broke through the ice of Deep Creek Lake near the Glendale Bridge.

First responders arrived to find Wise had exited the vehicle and escaped the water on his own. Linsenbigler, who was on the passenger side, remained trapped in the submerged wreckage until rescuers could free him.

He was taken to J.W. Ruby Hospital in Morgantown, where he died the following day.

Wise was treated for hypothermia at Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Md., and released the following morning. Maryland officials said investigators learned Wise had been consuming alcohol prior to the incident, and determined he had a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit of 0.08%.

Maryland natural resources officials said only snowmobiles are permitted to drive on the frozen lake. Side-by-sides are not allowed.

Wise was charged by summons in early August and is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 7 on charges of negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, homicide with a motor vehicle while impaired, DUI and related charges.

Wise’s attorney, Thomas Maronick Jr., said the case is a tragedy.

“It’s a tragedy because of the loss of a someone who was a dear friend to Mr. Wise, a man who was very devoted to his family and a great friend,” Maronick Jr. said. “But to criminalize what went on is also very unfortunate. We look forward to our day in court and the opportunity to defend Mr. Wise.”

If convicted, Wise could face more than 12 years in prison and more than $16,000 in fines.