Drunk Driver Causes 3 Vehicle Accident, Injures 2 In Cass County

Drunk driving is believed to have caused a three vehicle accident that sent two people to the hospital with injuries.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office responded at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a three vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of Old M205 and Cassopolis Road, in Mason Township.

Cass County Sheriff Richard J. Behnke says 65-year-old Cassopolis resident, William Thorley, was driving southbound when an oncoming vehicle crossed the center line, causing the crash. The driver of the northbound vehicle that crossed the center line has been identified as 32-year-old Matthew Degraff of Union. After Degraff crossed the center line and collided with Thorley's vehicle, Thorley's vehicle was pushed into a third vehicle that was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Cassopolis Road and Old M205. The third vehicle was driven by 64-year-old Rickey Secor of Elkhart with 64-year-old Janice Secor as a passenger, also of Elkhart.

William Thorley and Matthew Degraff were both transported to Elkhart General Hospital for injuries. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. All were wearing seat belts.

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke says that alcohol is believed to be a factor and the case remains under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were Porter Township Fire Department, SEPSA Ambulance, Edwardsburg/Ontwa Police Department, Michigan State Police and Edwardsburg Ambulance.