POKAGON TOWNSHIP — Three Dowagiac residents were injured in a rear-end crash in Pokagon Township, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Richard Behnke reported that at 9:44 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to a personal injury traffic crash that occurred on M-51 near Saddlebred Lane in Pokagon Township.

According to initial investigation a 17-year-old Dowagiac resident, and his passenger, Dashawn Lee Brooks, 18, of Dowagiac, were southbound on M-51, preparing to turn left into a driveway when they were rear-ended by Todd Barklow Martine, 41, of Dowagiac.

The 17-year-old driver and Brooks were transported by family to Borgess Lee Hospital in Dowagiac for their injuries. Martine was transported by ambulance to Borgess Lee Hospital in Dowagiac.

Seatbelts were worn, and alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to deputies. The crash remains under investigation.

Assisting on scene was Dowagiac Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police, Michigan State Police, Pokagon Fire Department and Pride Care Ambulance.