A crash in Niles Township on Sunday, Aug. 30, occurred at M-51 and State Line Road at about 6:23 p.m.

Joann Bryant Butler, 44, of High Street, South Bend, Ind. had been westbound on State Line Road, according to the Michigan State Police report. She was driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SUV.

George E. Sawaya, 58, of Lincoln Avenue, Niles, was northbound on SR933, driving a 1996 Oldsmobile four door vehicle.

Butler allegedly did not see Sawaya’s vehicle and attempted to turn left (south) onto SR933in Indiana. Her vehicle was struck in the driver’s door by the other vehicle.
Butler, as well as another adult and two children in her vehicle were transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. by SMCAS Ambulance of Niles.

The two children were improperly buckled in the back seat and this led to their injuries, the police reported.

Sawaya was transported to Memorial Hospital also by the South bend Fire Department EMS.

All injuries were relatively minor.

The Michigan State Police was assisted at the scene by the Niles Township Fire Department, Clay Township Fire Department of Indiana, St. Joseph County Police Department of Indiana, Berrien County/Niles Township Road Patrol/Sheriff’s Department, SMCAS Ambulance and South Bend Fire EMS.