By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Police continue to investigate the circumstances of an accident that took place early Friday morning in Niles that left a 69-year-old South Bend woman in the hospital in serious condition.

According to Sgt. Randy Miller with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, deputies of the Niles Township Patrol along with Michigan State Police responded to a call of a serious injury accident just outside of Jay’s Lounge on South 11th Street near the Michigan state line at approximately 1:58 a.m. Friday.

Miller said police found Janice Caldwell, who had been traveling southbound on South 11th Street when she reportedly collided with an unoccupied vehicle left in the roadway.

Police don’t know details surrounding the circumstances of the accident, Miller said, and Caldwell was taken to Memorial Hospital for the injuries she sustained in the crash.

At press time, Miller said Caldwell remained in serious condition.

“Early witness statements advised they saw unknown subjects running from the accident scene,” Miller said.

Those accounts led police to call in aid from the South Bend Police Department K9 Unit, which reported to the scene and assisted with a K9 track.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is urging anyone who might have any more information regarding the accident to contact them immediately at 684-5274 ext. 6298.