Full Notification

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports his office investigated a single vehicle fatal crash on 02-04-2021 at approx. 1246 hrs. This crash occurred on US 12 just west of Birch Road, Porter Twp, Cass County, Michigan. The vehicle driven by Douglas Vankirk, 63yr old of Mishawaka IN, appeared to be traveling eastbound on US 12. Vankirk lost control and ran off the road striking several trees, when the vehicle came to a stop that is when the vehicle caught on fire. First responders attempted to pull Vankirk from the vehicle, but he was entrapped. Vankirk succumbed to his injuries at the scene. airbags did deploy and it is unknown if a seatbelt was worn at this time. This crash remains under investigation at this time. Assisting agencies: Porter Township Fire and Ambulance and MDOT.