Full Notification

One Vehicle Roll-Over Crash

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke of the Cass County Sheriff's Office reports that on 10/12/2018 at approximately 1651 hours, his Deputies were dispatched to 58000 block of M-51 South, Dowagiac, MI in Pokagon township for a one vehicle roll-over personal injury accident. Deputies arrived on scene along with Pokagon Tribal Police to find one vehicle upside down on top of small tree. The driver of the Cadillac CTS involved was a Zackery Sparks (19 year old Dowagiac, MI resident) who left the scene of the accident, but was later found and transported for his injuries to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac for his injuries. Deputies made contact with the two other passengers of the vehicle a Jordan McConnell (16 year old Dowagiac, MI resident) and Vinessa Snyder ( 19 year old Dowagiac, MI resident) who both went to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital, and were transported by family. Initial investigation shows that Zackery Sparks was driving north bound on M-51, and attempted to pass another vehicle on the right should of the highway in which he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then slid sideways going into a roll landing on its roof on the side of the road.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this accident, and seatbelts were worn during the time of the crash. Speed is believed to be a factor in this accident.
Assisting agencies were Pokagon Tribal Police, and PrideCare Ambulance Service.