Man Dies in Car Crash Into Grand Canyon
A man who was killed after the car he was driving plunged hundreds of feet into the Grand Canyon was identified Saturday as a 19-year-old California resident.
Coconino County sheriff’s officials said the victim was Michael Balboa Swinger of Bakersfield.
Hansen said a note was found inside the vehicle that Swinger had apparently written to his family, but its contents were not disclosed.
Sheriff’s and park officials said there is no way to be certain if Swinger was the victim of an accident or if he committed suicide.
Park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge said a car was seen about noon Friday being driven around the parking lot at the South Kaibab trail head. She said the vehicle drove off the South Rim, landing 700 to 800 feet below. It took rescue crews more than three hours to recover Swinger’s body.
It was the 10th death at the Grand Canyon this year and the second in a week.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
