A 17-year old from Niles has been hospitalized following a crash involving a United Parcel Service truck in Cass County’s Howard Township this afternoon, Tuesday, October 1st, 2019.
Shortly before 4:30 this afternoon, Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke says his Deputies responded to the scene of the crash involving the UPS truck and a small pick-up on Barron Lake Road north of White Street.
Behnke says that initial investigation reports show that the 22-year old UPS driver, Casandra Zarala from Dowagiac was attempting to turn left into a driveway. The pick-up, driven by 58-year old Kristine Mann from Niles was headed southbound with two passengers when the UPS truck turned in front of her, resulting in the crash, which sent the pick-up into a small clump of trees off the roadway.
One of the pick-up truck passengers, 17-year old Kelsey Mann of Niles was taken by ambulance to Spectrum Health Lakeland in Niles for treatment.
Behnke says that seat belts were worn and speed does not appear to be a factor, nor did alcohol and drugs appear to a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on the scene by Pokagon Tribal Police, the Michigan State Police and SMCAS Ambulance Service and the Howard Township Fire Department.
