(PORTER TOWNSHIP) – Authorities say alcohol appears to be a factor in a two vehicle crash that sent seven people to the hospital.

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke says just after 5:30 PM Thursday, 58 year old Joey Mercer of Cassopolis was driving north on M-217 in Porter Township and failed to stop at the intersection of U.S. 12. Mercer hit a vehicle that was traveling east on U.S. 12 driven by 33 year old Jaclyn Stineback of Kalamazoo.

Stineback and all five passengers in her vehicle, 83 year old Alan Kerick, 79 year old Barbara Kerick, 9 year old Ryan Greer, 7 year old Zachary Greer and 2 and a half year old Xander Greer, all of Kalamazoo, were all taken to Elkhart General Hospital to be treated for their injuries. All of them were wearing their seat belts and the airbags did deploy.

Mercer was also taken to Elkhart General Hospital.

Assisting deputies were the Edwardsburg Police Department, the Edwardsburg Ambulance Company, the Newburg Ambulance Company and the SEPSA Ambulance and Fire.