Berrien County men die when car and motorcycle collideSBT24/7 News Report
Two Berrien County men are dead after a motorcycle and car collided Tuesday evening in Pipestone Twp. The sheriff's office said Michael Masterov, 40, of Eau Claire, was heading east on Naomi Road as Elester Williams, 52, of Dowagiac headed north on Hochberger Road about 6:30 p.m. when the two collided. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, while Masterov was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Masterov later died at the hospital, authorities said. The Berrien County Accident Reconstruction Team was called to investigate the crash. Information on the cause of the accident has not been released. Tuesday, Jul 1 at 4:46 PM Jamie in St Joe wrote ...In response to the posting by 'Concerned Citizen'...for shaming anyone in the days since such a tragedy, especially for shaming the fiance, Stephanie, of Michael Masterov. I work with Stephanie..she is a wonderful lady. How is anyone to know how they would, could, or should act during the initial 24 hours subsequent to the death of anyone you may have loved, let alone the man you were planning to spend the rest of your life with. Stephanie, find peace in our prayers, allow God to carry you now. Monday, Jun 30 at 1:26 AM I am Dwaine Thompson wrote ...Stephanie I am the guy that would always call your cell looking for mike. he will always be my mentor. mike taught me all i know about airplanes. his death brought tears to my eyes and continually saddens my heart...my prayers are with stephanie and and his family. Friday, Jun 27 at 10:38 PM Antoinette Taylor wrote ...I was just devasted to hear the news about lester. When i live in Benton Harbor some years ago Lester became a good friend of mine and my family. His laugh was well known. I pray that all of you please pray for for his family. Condolences from Indiana. Friday, Jun 27 at 8:22 AM Mz V wrote ...I agree to Micheal's fiance. Who gave you this information. The officers did not even know what happened. And I agree it seems so funny that he would just not stop. Yesterday my coworkers and I were also stating that we believe that Les became sick and this was the cause. Well, we all know as soon as someone sees sa way to sue someone they will go after it. Everyone that knew Mr. Williams know that he's in a better place now and he's laughing and talking to everyone that is around him. Thursday, Jun 26 at 11:06 PM Berrien County Resident Again wrote ...Thank you to "Detour Driver" for your response...exactly my thoughts! We had previously employed Elester & know for a fact that he had many health issues...so the blame here should be no where! Finger pointing doesn't change the outcome in this case as both drivers have passed. I firmly believe that no matter whose fault it was/is that GOD had his hand in it and HE has a master plan with us all on it....Leave it to HIM and he will decide when we should come to him. Blame no more! Pray! Thursday, Jun 26 at 7:25 PM Detour Driver wrote ...First of all; I am sorry for everyone's loss. That should be everyone's first thought. There seems to be a lot of finger pointing going on...does anyone know if perhaps Mr. Williams had a seizure, or a heart attack, stroke, or some other medical problem that may have contributed to this accident? It would be a possibility considering he was in the car, and was deceased at the scene...that is unusual, don't you think? Yes, we need to be careful, but first we need to be compassionate. Thursday, Jun 26 at 5:30 PM Kimberly Harvell wrote ...Lester was like a second father to me, I have known him all my life. He was a great person who laugh was contagious. I love you and you will be missed dearly. My prayer goes out to his children and family. God bless. Thursday, Jun 26 at 3:57 PM Kelle Sanders wrote ...There is no room to SPECULATE about what happened only GOD, MY UNCLE LESTER, AND MICHAEL knows what happened. I understand the pain michael's fiance' must feel. but you don't know what happened. My prayers are with your family as well as my own. May GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL, FOR THRU TRAGEDY COMES HEALINGS, BLESSINGS, AND UNDERSTANDING,THE BIBLE SAYS WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT,BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. Thursday, Jun 26 at 1:06 PM ST JO RESPONDENT wrote ...Who are you to have the exact speed that he was driving? Are you and officer? And if so you should not be giving out this information. This is a human and he does have family be careful what you say Thursday, Jun 26 at 12:03 PM Concerned Citizen wrote ...Shame on all of you for discussing this in such a manner as to promote fault. And to the Fiance' for even thinking of getting on a computer after a day of the death of her loved one. I would be devistated at the loss of my fiance' and would not even think of getting on a computer. Two men lost their lives yesterday. It is sad equally for both families. This isn't a popularity contest. There shouldn't even be a posting of comments in the event of deaths.it's just not right. My sincere condolonces Thursday, Jun 26 at 11:49 AM kim wrote ...My condolences go to both families. I have lost a few friends due to motorcycles. We all need to watch our blind spots, it takes longer for motorcycles to get out of them. Just be very carefull when you get into a vehicle. Remember that everyone out there has some type of family and they will be greatly missed!!! Prayers and thoughts will be with you all. Thursday, Jun 26 at 11:41 AM traci calhoun wrote ...Rest In Peace Michael you will be greatly missed by many. Thursday, Jun 26 at 10:14 AM dave wrote ...How tragic. Yet it seems we hear about things like this every week. Speculating I would think it is thedriver of the cars fault. Be careful. Road rage and aggresive drivers are rampant in this town. It's crazy. Thursday, Jun 26 at 9:51 AM Sad wrote ...My most sincere codolonces go out to the families and friends of these two. They sounded like very good people. Its is clear from the comments that they will be greatly missed. Anybody driving anything needs to always use caution and look out for others. This is a sad accident. My prayers are with you all. Thursday, Jun 26 at 12:14 AM Ms Rosie H. wrote ...My heart goes out to both families.I knew Les..Just the other day I was walking with my Three year old Grandson and les was in his car at the stop sign...he spoke and told me to go ahead across the street...That was the last time I saw him...That was last Monday..I will miss Les..But, God Loves him Best...R.I.P. Elester.My prayers are with both Families. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 11:52 PM Stephanie Manley wrote ...I am Michael's Fiance. This is the man I was going to marry that I lost. My understanding of the accident was the car did not stop, and broadsided Michael. Michael was on Naomi and not Hochberger. Michael was the one struck and thrown off of the motorcycle. He died even though he had on every bit of protective gear made. I would urge everyone to be more cautious of people on motorcycles. Your caution could save a life or two. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 11:42 PM Sherry Taylor wrote ...For those who didn't know Les was my pops an i still cant beleve it. Its going to take a min to really hit me cause theirs going to be times that i will be riding thinking i'm going to see him or he's going to call me R.I.P Pop's Les to the family he's in a better place with God But he will be truly missed. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 10:06 PM st jo respondent wrote ...Elester was traveling at ~40 mph as he traveled through the intersection at naomi. It is clear from the crash evidence that he did not stop at the intersection. The Motorcycle did hit him because he did not stop at the stop sign and was not able to stop. I can not speculate at why the car did not stop at the stop sign. It was an accident and the facts are what they are. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 8:32 PM frog wrote ...All these posts from family members make me wish I had known him...my sympathies Wednesday, Jun 25 at 7:52 PM BC guy wrote ...It's a shame that this happened. This is one of those crossroads that has trees blocking the view on Naomi, not to mention the hilly terrian included, makes it harder to see if you're on Hochburger. I've seen people literally "fly" on Naomi. There are some stop signs out in this area that can't be seen until you're right on it- just take a look for yourself. Who's responsible for maintaining the view of road signs?? There's a cross to remind those of previous wrecks. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 7:12 PM Miss Nia Williams wrote ...Lester was my uncle also and for people to say that he wasn't paying attention to the motorcycle is out of line because one you WERE NOT there and secondly, MAYBE the motorcycle crashed into him....THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!!! R.I.P O-DOGG... YOU ARE TRULY MISSED!!! Wednesday, Jun 25 at 6:58 PM SLDY wrote ...Lester will be greatly missed, for his sense of humor, and jokes. My prayers goes out to his family, from my family. God is always there when you need him. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 4:18 PM McGruff wrote ...Never assume that because you have the right of way, that others are going to be aware of it. So often I've avoided an accident because I could look at the other driver and see that they were spacing out. This is why tinted windows should be illegal. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 3:57 PM Kelle Sanders in Benton Harbor wrote ...Elester is my uncle for those who don't know He was a sweet guy, funny a family guy and much loved. Life is much too short don't take life for granted or family. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 3:51 PM kelle wrote ...Elester is my uncle, for those who didn't know him he was a sweet man. He will be greatly missed. Don't take life or family for granted you only get one chance to get it right. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 2:52 PM I Ride wrote ...Jackie, motorcycles are not that hard to see if you are paying attention when you are driving. NOT in this case but in a lot of cases the person in the car just doesn't care about the person on the motorcycle. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 11:45 AM Jim Marren wrote ...There have been several people that have died at this intersection over the years. The Pipestone detour has added more traffic and routed people unfamilar with the area through this dangerous area which has added to the problem. The other fatalities occurred before the detour. The County needs to add a stop sign on both sides of Naomi to make it a four way stop or at least add a caution light at the intersection. Ironic there is a cross on the erected on the N/W corner from prev. accidents. Wednesday, Jun 25 at 10:53 AM Nicki Mimes wrote ...I am Nicki Sanders of Memphis,Lester Williams niece.Most people who knew my uncle Lester personally,would say he was funny loving and always laughing.When you think of Lester the first image that comes to mind is his smile and how he could hold an intersting conversation that makes you wanna talk to him for hours,he was a good person and now he is in a better place,stirring up heaven making all God's angles laugh.I love him,his family loves him and he will be missed by all.R.I.P UNCLE LES Wednesday, Jun 25 at 9:21 AM Anonymous wrote ...please read Wednesday, Jun 25 at 9:14 AM Berrien County Resident wrote ...Please say a prayer or two for the family...they are in desperate need right now! Elester was our good friend and we are still in disbelief!!! Absolutely Horrible! Wednesday, Jun 25 at 8:57 AM Jackie wrote ...My sympathies go out to both families. I think cars and trucks need to be especially aware to motorcycles as they are hard to see, I am not a fan of motorcycles but my brother was injured years ago when a car ran a stop sign and he was on his motorcycle and just last week my 20 year old cousin was killed on one by a semi. I always look out for motorcycles and are especially cautious when one approaches. If we all do this there might not be as many fatalities involving bikes. Add a commentMost Popular |
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Wednesday, Jul 2 at 5:43 PM Pipergirl wrote ...
Stephanie, I only met Michael breifly, but we have some mutual friends. They were always talking about what a great pilot he was, all the hours he spent flying. I am praying for you. He will be greatly missed in the aviation community.