Head on collision closes U.S. 12 for roughly five hours Monday

CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan State Police Troopers with the Niles Post are investigating a serious crash that happened Monday in Cass County around 6:30 p.m. on U.S. 12, near Gumwood Road.

"Preliminary investigations reveal that the driver of a Ford F-350 pickup, with a Bobcat excavator in tow, was traveling [west] on U.S. 12 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed the center line causing him to enter the oncoming eastbound traffic hitting a second vehicle head on," Michigan State Police said. "The driver of the pickup, 27-year-old Berrien Springs man was not injured. The driver of the second vehicle a 49-year-old Granger, Indiana man was severely injured.

The name of the injured man has not been released, but he was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for advanced medical care and is expected to survive.

Authorities say drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor and that seat belts were used by both drivers.

That section of U.S. 12 was shut down for roughly five hours for cleanup and processing.