Jace W. Buster, 35, Wauapca, was killed after driving his car into the Waupaca River shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday, July 6.
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call reporting that a man was trapped in a vehicle that was overturned and submerged in the river.
The vehicle had been westbound on Frost Valley Road in the town of Farmington when it failed to negotiate a sharp curve and went onto Forest Valley Trail, then onto a private driveway. The vehicle then left the drive and plunged into the Waupaca River.
Sgt. Scott Lewis said a passenger, Charles H. Abhold, 43, Ogdensburg, was able to free himself from the vehicle and get to shore where he had someone dial 911.
The Waupaca Fire Department, with the aid of a tow truck from the Mobil Truck Stop in Waupaca, pulled the vehicle from the water. Buster was found still in the vehicle
Waupaca County Coroner Barry Tomaras pronounced Buster dead at the scene.
Abhold was treated for minor injuries and did not require transport to the hospital.
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department reported that alcohol was believed to be a involved. However, the accident remains under investigation.