******UPDATE*******November 17, 2020 @ 4pm

The driver of the motorcycle involved in this collision has been identified as Thomas Hoiles (35) out of Benton Harbor, Mi.  An autopsy will be conducted at the Western Michigan School of Medicine in Kalamazoo on Wednesday November 18, 2020 to determine the cause of death.  

During the investigation, the driver of the car was determined to be Anthony Terrel Wilson, also out of Benton Harbor.  Wilson has been arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail for multiple offenses including Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death, leaving the scene of an Injury Accident and drug charges.  The investigation into this crash is continuing. 

The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(11-17-20) On November 16, 2020 at approximately 9:11 pm emergency personnel responded to a 911 call to Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch for a report of a vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and a car on Union St near Waverly Dr in Benton Township. 

Upon arrival, Deputies found an unresponsive 35 yr old male lying on the street.  The victim was transported to Spectrum/Lakeland Medical Center and was pronounced deceased by ER Doctors shortly after arrival.  Investigators on scene found that a Motorcycle driven by the victim was traveling northbound on Union St approaching the main entrance to the Briarwood Apartments when a southbound vehicle made a left turn into the apartment entrance pulling into the path of the motorcycle.  The motorcycle impacted the car on the passenger side and the operator of the motorcycle was ejected from the bike. 

Investigation showed that the driver of the motorcycle had a helmet on at the time of the crash however it was not buckled and came off during the collision.  The driver of the car then fled the scene in the vehicle, but the suspect vehicle was located by police a short time later. 

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash unit was contacted to reconstruct the collision.  No arrests have been made at this time, however a suspect has been identified and a report will be submitted to the Berrien County Prosecutors Office for review.  

    It appears that alcohol may have been a factor in this collision.  The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.