2 killed in crash near Indiana border

BERRIEN COUNTY, MI – Two people were killed in a crash early Saturday on U.S. 12 near the Indiana border.

Those killed in the crash were a 19-year-old man from Iowa and a 36-year-old man from Edwardsburg, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, near the intersection of U.S. 12 and South Redbud Trail, just south of Buchanan.

Berrien County sheriff’s deputies believe the Iowa man was traveling southbound on Redbud Trail in a Chrysler sedan when he failed to yield at the intersection to a Jeep Wrangler that was eastbound on U.S. 12.

The two vehicles collided, with the Jeep Wrangler coming to rest on top of the Chrysler sedan.

Deputies and medical first responders found the Iowa man trapped inside his vehicle. Deputies said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Jeep Wrangler, the Edwardsburg man, was found ejected from his vehicle. He was transported to a hospital in Niles where he was later pronounced deceased, according to deputies.

Deputies say it appears neither driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Alcohol is being investigated as a possible contributing factor in the crash, they said.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, the Bertrand Township Fire Department, Southwest Michigan Community Ambulance Service, WMed Office of the Medical Examiner and the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center.