One person is dead in Mason Township crash

CASS COUNTY, Mich. --According to the Cass County Sheriff's Office, one person is dead, after a police chase ended in a crash in Mason Township. 

Around 12:00 a.m. on October 22nd, Nappanee Indiana Police chased a stolen vehicle from Elkhart County, into Cass County, until they lost sight of that stolen vehicle. 

Shortly thereafter, deputies were notified by a resident on Old 205 about a vehicle that crashed into a tree. 

Deputies arrived at the scene to find 49-year-old passenger, Adrian Smith of Elkhart, dead from his injuries. 

A Michigan State Police K-9 unit responded, tracked down the male driver who fled on foot, and took him into custody. 

The suspect driver's identity will be released after his arraignment. 

Smith wasn't wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred, and deputies do believe drugs were a factor in this crash. 

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Edwardsburg Police, The Michigan State Police, Nappanee Police, and SEPSA Fire Authority. 

This incident is currently under investigation.