Full Notification

Fatal Crash in Howard Twp.

Sheriff Joseph M Underwood Jr reports that his Office is investigating a fatal Traffic Crash that occurred on M 60 Hwy Near Yankee St in Howard Twp on 7/26/14 at 2151. His Deputies stated that a vehicle driven by Austin Brouwer, 19 yrs old from Osceola In, was driving North on M 60 Hwy at a high rate of speed. He was passing a vehicle on the right dirt portion of the highway when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then went back onto the paved portion of the roadway and hit a vehicle driven by Douglas Irving, 32 yrs old from Niles Mi. Brouwer's vehicle then went into the grass medium and flipped several times. Mr Brouwer sustained injuries at the scene and was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend by Life Care Ambulance Service where he is listed in serious but stable condition. The front seat passenger Janet Menting, 21 yrs old from South Bend, was air lifted by Air Care to Memorial South Bend where she is listed in critical condition. Back seat passenger Scott Voresis, 21 yrs old from South Bend, was transported to Niles Lakeland Hospital by SMCAS, where he was treated and released for his injuries. The back seat passenger Rayna Dobrodt, 23 yrs old from Mishawaka In, was transported to Niles Lakeland Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Mr Irving was transported by SMCAS Ambulance to Niles Lakeland where he was treated for his injuries and released. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash and safety belts were used. The Cass County Sheriff's Office still investigating the crash and anyone with further information is encourage to contact them with the information.
The Deputies were assist at the scene by the Howard Twp Fire Department, Niles Michigan State Police, SMCAS Ambulance Service, Life Care Ambulance Service, and Air Care.