Bicyclist killed in US-12 crash
Published 11:31 am Thursday, September 20, 2018
EDWARDSBURG — A Edwardsburg woman and the rider of a bicycle succumbed to injuries she sustained during a traffic accident on US-12 Thursday morning, according to the Edwardsburg/Ontwa Police Department Office.
Officers believe that Taleena Smaltz, 50, was riding her bicycle heading west near the fog line when the accident occurred.
Edwardsburg fire department vehicles blocked east and west bound traffic lanes on US-12 this morning as emergency personnel responded to an accident involving the bicycle and a vehicle.
The accident was reported at 7:33 a.m. on Thursday morning and took place at the 25000 block of US-12, near residential houses just east of the American Legion Post 365. A blanket covered the bicycle and the vehicle was taken away.
A red truck and multiple police vehicles lined the side of the road and blocked the view of the incident.
The accident investigation is currently ongoing with the assistance of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department traffic accident reconstructionists.
The driver, 40-year-old Charles McCarthy, of Cassopolis, sustained no injuries and is fully cooperating with the investigation.
The Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department was assisted by the Edwardsburg Ambulance, Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and MDOT.
The Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department is asking individuals with any information surrounding the circumstances of this accident to contact the police department at (269) 663-8444 or by emailing otepd@comcast.net.