(CASSOPOLIS) – An Elkhart man is charged with open murder and other counts following a fatal car crash over the weekend.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz says the suspect is charged with open murder; operating under the influence of a controlled substance causing death; first degree fleeing a police officer; fourth degree fleeing a police officer and receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department was contacted just after 12 AM Sunday by the Nappanee Indiana Police, who were chasing a stolen vehicle from Elkhart County into Michigan. Nappanee officers ended the pursuit when they lost sight of the stolen vehicle.

A short time later, a resident who lives on Old 205 notified authorities that a vehicle crashed into a tree near Redfield Street. Deputies arrived and found a passenger, 49 year old Adrian Smith of Elkhart, dead from his injuries. The driver ran away from the scene.

A K-9 unit from the Michigan State Police responded and after a short time, found a male suspect and took him into custody.

Smith was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.