Full Notification

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports that on 11/12/2017 his office receive a complaint of a subject in the roadway on M51 near Pokagon Hwy in Pokagon Township Cass County Michigan. A few minutes later his office received a call that a subject had been hit by a car in this area. Deputies responded and found that 53 yr old Elkhart resident, Howard Payton, had been fatally struck by a vehicle. The driver, who's name is not being released at this time due to the fact that she is a minor, was south west bound on M51 when this collision happened. She was treated and released by the ambulance on scene. She was wearing her seat belt. At this time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol may have been a factor. This case remains under investigation.



Assisting were Southwest Michigan Community Ambulance Service, Pokagon Fire Department, Pokagon Band Tribal Police, and the Michigan State Police.