Motorcyclist dies after crash near New Buffalo

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A motorcyclist died after a crash south of New Buffalo Thursday afternoon, deputies said. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was called to the crash around 12:30 p.m., after a motorcycle had been hit from behind on W US Highway 12 near Lubke Road in New Buffalo Township. Arriving deputies found the motorcyclist, a 45-year-old Niles man, with life-threatening injuries. He was treated on scene and then taken to the hospital where he died from head trauma. He was not identified by the sheriff’s office. Witnesses told deputies that the motorcycle was nearly stopped in the road on westbound US Highway 12 with a left turn signal on waiting to turn onto Lubke Road when a westbound mini van driven by a 39-year-old Missouri woman crashed into him from behind. Deputies said the woman was “distracted while driving and failed to notice the motorcycle slow in front of her.” The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike. He was not wearing a helmet, deputies said. After that, the woman driving the mini van lost control and crossed into eastbound lanes, hitting another vehicle in the side. She was hurt but her injuries were minor. No one in the third vehicle was hurt, according to the sheriff’s office. Both directions of US Highway 12 were closed for two hours. Deputies are still investigating.