Driver Drowns As Car Swerves Off Road Into Swamp

Driver Drowns As Car Swerves Off Road Into Swamp Companion Frees Self From Auto Herbert C. Haiar, 33, Of N. Dixboro Rd., Is Accident Victim Herbert C. Haiar, 33, of 115 N. Dixboro Rd., was drowned about 9 o’clock Saturday night when his car swerved off Geddes Rd. near LeForge Rd. and landed upside down in two feet of water in a swampy area. Pinned in the driver’s seat, with a tree lodged against the car door on his side, Haiar was dead when removed about 10 minutes later. A companion, Cline Johnson, 27, of 507 N. Hamilton St., Ypsilanti, managed to extricate himself but was unable to free Haiar alone. Haiar, a farm worker, was married and had five small children, ranging in age from 27 months to nine years. Down Six-Foot Embankment The accident occurred on a straight stretch on Geddess Rd. about 200 yards east of LeForge Rd. and about two miles northwest of Ypsilanti. State police said Haiar was driving west on Geddess Rd. when his car went out of control and plunged over the six-foot embankment, on the north side of the road. The auto struck several small trees as it went down and then landed upside down in two feet of water. Haiar was pinned inside the wreckage with his face down in the water. Johnson, who suffered facial lacerations, and bruises, managed to get out on his side, but was unable to get Haiar out. Motorist Calls Troopers A passing motorist, Glen Burd, jr., of 1688 Russell St., Ypsilanti, reported the accident to state police by telephone. Troopers arrived and cut away the small tree lodged against the right door of the car, which had wedged it shut, and then removed Haiar. He was already dead of drowning, Coroner Edwin C. Ganzhorn said. Johnson was treated at Beyer Memorial Hospital and tehn released. Haiar’s body was taken to the Geer Funeral Home in Ypsilanti and then to the Muehlig Chapel in Ann Arbor. [Caption: DROWNS IN CAR: Herbert C. Haiar, 33, of 115 N. Dixboro Rd., died Saturday night when he was pinned in his car, overturned in a swamp off Geddes Rd. Death was caused by drowning.]