Leader Publications

CASSOPOLIS – Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. reports his office handled two injury accidents on Saturday, Aug. 1, in Mason Township.

The first accident occurred around 2:50 p.m. on U.S. 12, between Five Points Road and Cassopolis Road.

Kahli Balint, 19, of Niles, was westbound when she fell asleep at the wheel and crossed center, striking an eastbound car.

The eastbound car was driven by John Blucker, 66, of Sturgis.
His wife, Evelyn Blucker, was in the car as well.

All three parties were taken by ambulances from the scene to Elkhart, Ind., General Hospital for treatment.

Seatbelts were used by all parties involved.

Emergency responders from Porter Township Fire and Ambulance, Osolo Ambulance and Edwardsburg-Ontwa Township Police assisted at the scene.

The second accident occurred at 4 p.m. at the Old 205-U.S. 12-Five Points Road intersection.

A motorcycle operated by Kermit J. Hogeston, 41, of Churubusco, Ind., with his wife, Shonda Hogeston, 40, as passenger, was involved in an accident with Jason Thomas, 40, of Louisville, Ky., and his 2 1/2-year-old son.

The only person injured in the accident was Kermit Hogeston, who was transported from the scene to Elkhart General Hospital.

Initial investigation of the accident indicates that Thomas was making a turn and that Hogeston went to pass Thomas.

Thomas turned in a different direction then what Hogeston believed he would be going and the two vehicles collided, deputies reported.

The Hogestons were wearing helmets and Thomas did use his seatbelt, along with having his son in a car seat.

Emergency Responders from Porter Township Fire assisted at the scene.
Hogeston was transported by Edwardsburg ambulance to the hospital.

Sheriff Underwood also reported that on Friday, July 31, at approximately 7 p.m., deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a personal-injury crash at the intersection of Mount Zion Street and Cassopolis Road in Calvin Township.

Jennifer Wagner, 32, of Cassopolis, was northbound on Cassopolis Road,
She had stopped at the intersection of Mount Zion Street, then failed to yield the right of way to a westbound vehicle on Mount Zion driven by Lennel Smith, 63, of Cassopolis.
Wagner and her passenger, Jordan Wagner, 7, were uninjured in the crash.

A second passenger in Wagner’s vehicle, Felicia Corrighan, was transported to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Smith was treated for minor injuries on the scene by Life Care Ambulance.
His passenger, Sharon Wyrick, 56, was uninjured in the crash.

Assisting at the scene were Penn Township Fire Department and Life Care Ambulance.
Seatbelts were used by all occupants of both vehicles.

Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash.