Local Woman Fatally Hurt In Collision

Mrs. Esther Ward, 26, Dies Of Skull Fracture; Companion Loses Leg
Mrs. Esther A. Meiselbach Ward, 26, of 717 S. State St., was fatally injured early this morning when the car in which she was riding was hit in the rear by another on US-112 five miles east of Ypsilanti.
Charles H. Clauson, 34, of 1593 Miller Rd., driver of the car in which Mrs. Ward was a passenger, suffered multiple fractures of both legs and is in a "serious" condition, Beyer Memorial officials said today.
One Leg Amputated
Clauson's left leg was amputated early this morning and doctors fear amputation of his right leg may be necessary as a result of the fractures.
Mrs. Ward died from a skull fracture while being taken to Beyer Hospital.
State Police said both Mrs. Ward and Clauson were thrown from the two-door sedan by the impact.
Wilbur L. Ellis, 27, of 823 Lowell St., Ypsilanti, driver of the second machine, received body and facial lacerations.
Driver To Be Questioned
Officers said they planned to question Ellis today. They said his car crashed into the rear of the Clauson machine "at a high rate of speed" while both were traveling west near the Canton Center Rd. The accident occurred at 2:20 this morning.
Clauson's car was shoved straight down the highway by the Ellis car. Both were almost completely demolished.