Second child dies after Howard Township crash

Published 11:11 am Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A second child has died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident Tuesday afternoon in Howard Township. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

A second person has died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident Tuesday afternoon in Howard Township.

Juliana Brown, 9, of Niles, was pronounced dead Tuesday evening at South Bend Memorial Hospital, according to hospital staff.

Brown’s sister, Sophia True, 6, of Niles, was pronounced dead shortly after the crash Tuesday.

A third sister, Penelope True, 4, of Niles, remains in critical condition.

The driver of the sedan containing the three children — Sarah Michael, 19, of Niles — was originally listed in serious condition, but was treated and released Tuesday evening, according to hospital staff.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Leet Road and Michigan Highway 60 in Cass County at 3:50 p.m.

The driver of the second vehicle, Robert Camfield, 60, of Lawton, was treated and released at the scene.

According to the Michigan State Police, witnesses reported that a sedan traveling south on Leet Road, near Howard-Ellis School, failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle was struck broadside on the passenger side doors by a Dodge Ram pickup truck. The three children were extricated from the vehicle.

Michael is the babysitter of the three children, according to Richard Weigel, Niles Community Schools Superintendent.

Brown was in the third grade at Howard Elementary, while Sophia True was in the first grade at Ellis Elementary. Penelope True is a Northside student scheduled to start her first day of class today.