One killed, one hospitalized after head-on crash in Berrien County

By: Melissa Hudson

Posted: Jul 22, 2020 5:45 AM EDT

Photo courtesy Berrien County Sheriff's Office

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - One person was killed and a second is in the hospital, and could face charges, after a head-on crash in Berrien County Wednesday morning.

Police got a call about an SUV heading northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. 31 just before 3 a.m. A few minutes later, they got a call about a head-on crash on U.S. 31, near Matthew Road.

Officers say the SUV hit a car, and the driver of that car was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 28-year-old Darnell Johnson of Benton Harbor.

The driver of the SUV, a 29-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital.

Police believe alcohol played a factor in the crash, and say she could face charges.

The southbound lanes of U.S. 31 were closed for hours as crews investigated the crash.

Traffic was back moving by about 6:30 a.m.

Police haven't given the name of the driver of the SUV.