UPDATED – 9-22-18

charges

(9-16-18) The Berrien County 911 received a call of a hit and run injury accident yesterday at approximately 4:12 PM. Witnesses reported observing a small Ford SUV strike a bicyclist on Pokagon Rd near Jones Rd in Berrien Township.

Deputies responded, and soon confirmed that the bicyclist was deceased at the scene.

A witness and his young son had collected a vehicle description and plate registration number of the suspect vehicle. This information aided in promptly dispatching deputies to the address of the registered owner in Niles.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Niles Township Patrol intercepted the suspect, and suspect vehicle, leading to the driver’s subsequent arrest on the charges of Operating While Intoxicated – Causing Death, as well as Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident.

Preliminary results indicated that the suspect (23 year old female of Niles) driver’s blood-alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.

The deceased bicyclist was ultimately identified as 32 year old Todd Harrington of Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Berrien Springs/Oronoko Twp. Police Department, the Michigan State Police, SMCAS Ambulance, and the Eau Claire Fire Department.