WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The passenger in a vehicle being pursued by authorities died after it crashed into a tree over the weekend in Cass County’s Mason Township.
Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were advised shortly before midnight Sunday that officers from Nappanee Police Department were in pursuit of a vehicle reported stolen from Elkhart County.
Nappanee Police terminated their pursuit when they lost sight of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, however, a resident on Old 205 notified deputies that a vehicle had crashed into a tree.
Deputies said 49-year-old Adrian Smith of Elkhart died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt, investigators said.
The driver had fled on foot but was taken into custody with the aid of a Michigan State Police K-9 unit.
Behnke said the identity of the driver will be released after his arraignment.
Deputies believe drugs were a factor in the crash, Behnke said.
