Fatal Crash (Oronoko Township)
Date and Time of Incident: March 19, 2017 @ 1120 hours
Type of Incident: Fatal Traffic Crash
Location of Incident: M-139 Hwy @ Hinchman Rd. (Oronoko Twp.)
Agencies Involved: Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township P.D., Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township F.D., Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit, Michigan State Police-Niles Post, Royalton Township F.D., Medic 1 Ambulance.
Narrative: At approximately 1120 hours on Monday, March 19, 2018, emergency personnel were dispatched to the intersection of M-139 Hwy and Hinchman Rd. in Oronoko Township on a report of a serious injury accident involving 3 vehicles. Initial investigation has determined a northbound pickup truck collided with another northbound vehicle (car) and pushed the car into the southbound lane. A southbound multi-passenger transport bus collided with the car. The driver of the car was pronounced deceased at Memorial Hospital-South Bend. The driver’s name is withheld pending confirming identification and notification of next of kin. Any injuries to the other drivers/occupants of vehicles appear to be minor.
The accident remains under investigation by the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit. Further information will be released after confirming data and evidence is processed and reviewed.
*UPDATE March 20, 2018*
The drivers of the vehicles involved in the fatal traffic accident are listed below.
Silver Toyota Corolla: Karen Lou Johns, Female, 61, Eau Claire, Deceased.
Red Chevrolet Pickup: Riley Ford Haygood, Male, 17, Berrien Springs, Not injured.
White Ford Transit Van: Dianna Laura-Namanda Ssemanda, Female, 35, Berrien Springs, Minor Injuries.
An 18 year old passenger in the Chevrolet pickup sustained a minor head and wrist injury.
There are believed to be 7 total passengers in the Ford Transit Van at the time of the accident. 5 were female and 2 were male. Several of the passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated by medics at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation. Further information will be released after confirming data is processed and reviewed.
