Police are seeking leads into the case of a 21-year-old Watervliet man found dead in a field Sunday morning. A forensic autopsy has preliminarily concluded that Tyler Carr died of injuries sustained from being run over by a vehicle.

Officers were dispatched at 9:20 a.m. Sunday to 2561 Fairview Road in Pipestone Township for male subject lying in a field. Upon arrival, officers found a deceased white male in his early 20s lying in a field behind the residence approximately 200 yards off the roadway.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a party had taken place there Saturday night and into the early morning hours Sunday, with between 25 to 50 young adults attending.

The Berrien County Homicide Task Force along with the FBI-Violent Crimes Task Force, was activated to assist in the investigation. Crime scene technicians from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and the Coloma Township Police Department were called in to collect evidence at the scene.

It was evident at the scene that Carr sustained injuries from being run over by a motor vehicle. Carr’s body was transported by Medic One Ambulance to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, where a forensic autopsy would be completed.

The forensic autopsy was completed Monday, with the preliminary report indicating that Carr sustained injuries to his rib and chest area resulting in a torn aorta. These injuries are consistent with a person getting run over by a motor vehicle.

Although the investigation has revealed that a large fight occurred during the party, there is no evidence to support that Carr was involved in the altercation in any way. It is also evident from the investigation that the incident involving Carr being struck by a vehicle most likely occurred prior to the fight starting.

Investigators are continuing to attempt to identify the vehicle and its operator that was involved in this incident. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office along with the Berrien County Homicide Task Force is continuing to follow up on any and all leads pertaining to this incident.

If you have any information pertaining to this incident, contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (269) 983-7141 ext. 7275.