Full Notification

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports his deputies were dispatched to the 1300 block of Barron Lake Rd., Howard Township, Cass County, Michigan for a vehicle that had crashed into a residence. This crash occurred on 10/17/2022 at approximately 0733 hours. 
  
Initial investigation showed, the driver 33 -year-old, Niles, Michigan resident Justin Miller, was traveling south on Barron Lake Rd. Miller's vehicle struck back of the vehicle driven by 53-year-old, Dowagiac, Michigan resident Janis Mix, who was also traveling south on Barron Lake Rd.  Miller's vehicle then ran off the roadway right, hitting a mailbox, and then the side of a residence. Miller’s vehicle struck the gas line on the side of the residence, causing the residence and vehicle to set on fire.   
 
The homeowner did not sustain injuries from the crash or fire, and Miller was not in the vehicle when it caught on fire. Miller was transported by SMCAS ambulance to Lakeland Niles hospital, for injuries sustained during the crash. Mix went by private transportation to Lakeland Niles hospital, for injuries sustained during the crash.  Seatbelts were worn at the time of the crash. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in this crash.  This crash remains under investigation.  
 
Assisting agencies at the scene were the Michigan State Police, Howard Township Fire Department, Edwardsburg Fire Department, Buchanan Township Fire Department, Niles City Fire Department, Niles Township Fire Department, Pokagon Township Fire Department, Dowagiac Fire Department, Indian Lake Fire Department, Clay Fire Department, and SMCAS Ambulance.