Student hit by van after exiting school bus

Published 11:07 pm Wednesday, November 16, 2011

CASSOPOLIS — Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. reports deputies investigated a personal-injury accident at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday that occurred in the 15000 block of Marcellus Highway in Marcellus Township.
Deputies found Brittany Smith, 16, of Marcellus, lying in the roadway, conscious and alert and being attended to by her father and several citizens.
Deputies determined that Brittany, after exiting the school bus, left her driveway, crossed Marcellus Highway to get the mail and was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by Leon Lehnus, 72, also of Marcellus.
Investigation showed alcohol or speed were not factors in the accident.
The victim was taken to Borgess Lee-Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac and transferred to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, where she is listed in stable condition.