(8-12-19) Berrien County Sherif’s Officers were dispatched to a call of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on N. 5th Street near Pucker Street in Niles Township. The pedestrian, Candace Rae Barna (49) of Niles was in the roadway attempting to retrieve an article of clothing that was lost while she was a passenger on a motorcycle. The driver of the vehicle (2008 Toyota Camry Sedan), Helen Jo Carpenter (75) of Niles stated that she observed Barna enter the roadway but was unable to avoid the collision.
Barna was pronounced dead at the scene by the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service personnel. The crash is under investigation by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the WMed Medical Examiners Office.
Alcohol and speed do not appear to be factors in this crash.
No further information is available at this time
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