By Staff
ST. JOSEPH - The Berrien County Sheriff's Department is investigating a single-car crash on Napier Avenue, just east of Arent Road, Bainbridge Township, at 4:04 p.m. Thursday which claimed the life of a Dowagiac man.
William Levi Heeter, 85, of Dowagiac, was the driver and only occupant of a 2001 Mercury Sable four-door that was traveling east on Napier when it crossed the center line and left the roadway.
The car the went up an embankment and struck a tree, then flipped onto its roof.
A small fire started in the car's engine compartment, but it was quickly brought under control by the property owner where the car landed and the Sister Lakes Fire Department.
Mr. Heeter was pronounced dead at the scene and was removed by the Sister Lakes Fire Department. Mr. Heeter was wearing his seatbelt.
Witnesses prior to the crash reported seeing his car swerving on and off the road.
The crash may have been caused by a medical problem, as Mr. Heeter was on his way home from a medical treatment in the St. Joseph area just prior to the crash.
He was transported by Sister Lakes ambulance to Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, where an autopsy will likely be preformed today.
The crash remains under investigation.