2 car Fatal Traffic Crash 60000 blk Red Arrow Hwy 257-19 1/12/19

Nature of Incident:

2 Car Fatal Traffic Crash

Incident #:

257-19

Date & Time:

1/12/2019 2:35 pm

Location:

60000 Block of Red Arrow Highway, Hartford Township

Vehicle #1:

2007 White Chevy Equinox

Suspect/Driver of Vehicle #1:

23-year-old male, from Benton Harbor. Transported to Lakeland St Joe in critical condition.

Victim/Passenger Vehicle #1:

1-year-old male, from Benton Harbor. Transported to Bronson Kalamazoo, critical condition

Victim/Passenger Vehicle #1:

6-year-old female from Coloma, Transported to Lakeland Watervliet (deceased)

Vehicle #2:

2007 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee

Victim/Driver Vehicle#2:

73-year-old female, from Paw Paw. Not transported (deceased)

Victim Passenger Vehicle #2:

57-year-old female, from Paw Paw, Transported to Bronson Kalamazoo, in critical condition.

Alcohol:

Alcohol is believed to be a factor

Charges:

The investigation will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Narrative:

Sheriff Daniel Abbott reports that on 1/12/2019 at 1435hrs, Deputies responded to a 2-car fatal traffic crash, in the 60000 block of Red Arrow Highway. An off-duty Patrol Sergeant called in the crash and began immediately began assisting the injured parties. First responders began arriving and assisting in life saving measures. The injured parties were transported to local hospitals by ambulance. It appears that the Suspect and Driver of Vehicle #1 was traveling east bound and crossed the center line, hitting Vehicle #2 head on in the west bound lane. The Driver of Vehicle #2 a 73-year-old female from Paw Paw was deceased at the scene. The 6-year-old female in Vehicle #1 was transported to Lakeland Watervliet where she succumbed to her injuries. Families have been notified. The investigation is on going this new release will be update with further information at a later date.

Investigating Agency

Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office

Assisting Agencies

Michigan State Police

Hartford Fire Department

Pride Care EMS

Supervisor Contact:

Contact the On-Duty Sergeant or Lt Jim Charon 269-657-3101

Anyone with information can contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-3101, Crime Stoppers 1-800-342-7867, Silent Observer (269) 343-2100 or your local Police Department.

Mobile phone users and online users can provide anonymous crime tips to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office by sending a text Tip Soft message by sending a text message to “CRIMES” (274637) with the keyword VBCTIP from a mobile phone. To submit an online tip, go to www.vbcsheriff.com and at the top of the homepage follow the directions to submit a tip.