Full Notification

Two-Vehicle Injury Crash

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports on February 21, 2023 at approximately 8:23am, his office responded to a two-car vehicle crash.  The crash occurred on M 62 Hwy, west of Pokagon St., Silver Creek Township, Cass County, Michigan.   

Initial Investigation showed, 74-year-old, Three Rivers resident, Steven Smillie was traveling westbound on M-62. Smillie had two passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash.  57-year-old, Three Rivers resident, Jonathan Sudakin, and 78-year-old, Constantine resident, Harold Lemon.   36-year-old, Niles resident, Brandon Lodholtz, was traveling eastbound on M-62. Lodholtz vehicle crossed the center causing a head on the collision with Smillie’s vehicle.    

  
Smillie and Lemon were transported to Crowell Health Lakeland Hospital, and Sudakin was transported Borges Lee Memorial hospital for injuries sustained during the crash.  Lodholtz was transported by MedFlight, to South Bend Memorial Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash.   

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Seatbelts were worn at the time of the crash.  This crash remains under investigation.   

Assisting agencies at the scene were, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, Indian Lake Fire Department, Dowagiac Police Department, Dowagiac Fire Department, SMCAS Ambulance, Pride Care Ambulance, and Med Flight out of South Bend.