COLON TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has officially released the names of the two people who were killed Sunday afternoon in an accident on Wattles Road just west of the Branch-St. Joseph County line.
The woman killed Sunday afternoon when her lawn mower was struck by a fleeing vehicle was 53-year-old Jody Clipfell.
The driver of the car that struck the lawn mower was identified as 38-year-old Shawn Shook of Colon.
The Sheriff’s Department says Shook was traveling at a speed to fast for conditions when he lost control, slid sideways, went off the road and struck the lawn mower.
The car the rolled over, went airborne and struck a tree.
Shook and Clipfell were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragedy was part of a series of events that started on Wattles Road near Branch County. Michigan State Police are investigating a reported felonious assault that took place before the accident.
