Local man, 26, dies on Napier

Published 5:42 pm Sunday, July 18, 2010

Police say a Dowagiac man died following an early-morning accident Sunday in Berrien County’s Benton Township.

Cory Simmons, 26, was the driver of a 1984 Ford Mustang found in a bean field in the 4000 block of Napier Avenue about 2:20 a.m.

He was headed east before leaving the roadway and flipping over several times, according to a press release issued by the Benton Charter Township Police Department.

Simmons was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Two passengers in his vehicle did not require transport to the hospital. Kyle Adams, 27, of Dowagiac, was treated at the scene by EMS. And Christopher Staley, 28, also of Dowagiac, was not injured.

Passengers told police they left Barney’s Boathouse in St. Joseph and were returning to Dowagiac when the crash occurred.

Police say speed appears to be a factor in the wreck, which remains under investigation.