By Staff
NILES - The Michigan State Police Niles Post investigated a three vehicle double fatal crash which occurred at about 7:47 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the intersection of South 11th Street and Ontario Road, in Niles Township.
Two vehicles were stopped northbound on South 11th Street in the right hand lane for a red light, according to the police report. A Chevy pickup truck, driven by Donna Christine Lutin, 52, of Niles and her passenger Michael Firmer King, 52, also of Niles, was stopped first for the light followed by a Suzuki SUV, driven by Mark Wayne, 51, of Niles according to the police report.
Lutin and King were pronounced dead a the scene. Wayne was transported to Lakeland Hospital Niles by SMCAS Ambulance and was treated and released.
An intoxicated 25-year-old female driver from Granger, Ind. was northbound in a Lexus and allegedly failed to stop, rear ending the Suzuki, the report said. The pickup truck was struck by the Suzuki and proceeded across the intersection striking a building at the northwest corner of the intersection, the report said.
The driver of the Lexus, who name is withheld pending arraignment, refused medical treatment at the scene. She was arrested pending charges at the time with two counts of operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. She is presently lodged at the Berrien County Jail, in St. Joseph, the report said.
All parties involved were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, the report said.
The Michigan State Police Niles Post also investigated a three car minor injury crash at Dean's Hill Road and Pokagon Highway in Berrien Township, on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
According to Trooper Jayne Service, the crash involved a vehicle driven by Daniel Baker, 37, of St. Joseph, Sarah Spietzer, 23, of Eau Claire and Jeffrey Sinner, 61, of Niles. Medic One ambulance service responded to the scene and treated the injuries of the occupants.
Excessive speed for the snow covered roadway conditions was determined to be the leading cause of the crash and alcohol and drugs were not suspected.