Judy San
The man managed to climb out of the driver’s side window.

Police are investigating a Haines man who flipped his car over a guardrail at 6.5 Mile Haines Highway on Friday, Aug. 20.

Haines Volunteer Fire Department volunteers responded to the crash last Friday afternoon. “He was heading westbound and veered off into the left lane hit the guardrail, and then it appeared as if the car did an endo, so hood over trunk, and landed in the water,” HVFD chief Al Giddings said.

The driver was able to escape through the driver’s side window.

Judy San

“When we arrived, the occupant of the car was sitting on the bank of the river,” Giddings said.

EMTs immobilized him and transported him to the SEARHC clinic. He was released without injuries later that night, Giddings said.

Police chief Heath Scott said they believe alcohol was involved.

Giddings said the newly installed guardrail did its job. The rail is constructed in such a way that fittings are designed to break and reduce the vehicle’s momentum.

“On the ends of the guard rail they have that big piece they call a battering ram,” Giddings said. “There are a dozen expansions that are made to break free. That helps slow the vehicle down. It could have been much worse.”

Jack Smith removed the car from the river.

Author