The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal two-vehicle Niles Township crash which killed a young woman who may have been texting.

The crash occurred at 5:21 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, on S. 11th Street at Dewitt Street.

Thomas Covault, 49, of Otsego, was southbound on S. 11th Street in a 2004 Freightliner box semi truck when a northbound car driven by Alicia Manigold, 23, of the South Bend/Niles area, lost control and crossed over into his lane.

Manigold was northbound on S. 11th in her 1999 Saturn when she lost control on the icy, snow-covered road.

Her car crossed into the southbound lanes and into the path of Covault’s semi truck.

The truck impacted the passenger side of Manigold’s car, pushing it back and off the west side of S. 11th Street.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service (SMCAS) of Niles. Covault was not injured.

Manigold was wearing her seatbelt.

There were no other persons in her vehicle.

There is also an indication Manigold was on her phone texting at the time of the crash, the sheriff’s office reported.

The crash is being investigated by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team and remains under investigation.

There were reports of other vehicles in the area at the time whose drivers may have witnessed the crash.

If you have any information, please contact Lt. Don Goulooze at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, (269) 684-5274, ext. 6303.