NILES, MI — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a pedestrian crash Tuesday morning as 56-year-old Namita Smadder, a longtime resident of Niles.
The incident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on Sept. 16 at the busy intersection of Broadway Street and South Third Street. According to Niles police, Smadder was attempting to cross South Third from the southwest corner of the intersection when she was struck by a vehicle turning right from eastbound Broadway onto South Third.
The driver, a 59-year-old man from Niles, remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement as the investigation unfolded.
Emergency responders said Smadder sustained severe head injuries in the collision. She was initially taken to Corewell Health Lakeland Niles Hospital before being transferred to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Accident Reconstruction Unit joined Niles police to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Officials have not released any information indicating that alcohol, drugs, or excessive speed played a role, though the case remains under review.
Local emergency crews, including Niles firefighters, state police, and the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service, all assisted at the scene. The intersection was closed for several hours while authorities conducted their investigation and cleared the area.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Niles community, where Smadder was known as a kind and hardworking individual. Neighbors and friends describe her as someone who valued family, community, and connection.
Police have not indicated whether charges will be filed in the case, but they emphasized the importance of caution at intersections, particularly during morning commutes when both drivers and pedestrians are on the move.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more details are released.