Intoxicated driver collides with police vehicle
• Person Making Release: Sgt. Brandon Crosby
• Date and Time of Incident: 8/17/25 at 1232AM
• Type of Incident: Intoxicated driver collides with police vehicle
• Location of Incident: 1100 block of Highland Ave., Benton Township
• Agencies Involved: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Township Police
Narrative:
On 8/17/25 at approximately 12:32AM, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1100 block of Highland Ave. in Benton Township to a two-vehicle accident involving a Benton Township Police vehicle. On arrival, it was determined through investigation that a Dodge Charger driven by the 28-year-old male resident of Benton Township was traveling westbound on Highland Ave., crossed the center line and struck the side of a fully marked Benton Township Police patrol car. The patrol car was being driven by a Sergeant with the Benton Township Police Department that was traveling eastbound on Highland Ave.
The male driver was found to be intoxicated and was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving while unlicensed. The Police Sergeant sustained minor injuries and was treated at Corewell Hospital in Saint Joseph and was released. The male was lodged at the Berrien County Jail and the case will be forwarded to the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
***UPDATE*** 8-18-25// The suspect in this incident is KEVIN JOEL MORALES-CASTRO, 28 of Benton Harbor. The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
