(CASSOPOLIS) – A suspect arrested in connection with a fatal car crash has been arraigned.

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz says 28 year old Cody Ray-Anthony Kleitz of Elkhart has been charged with open murder; operating under the influence of a controlled substance causing death; first degree fleeing police officer, fourth degree fleeing police officer and receiving and concealing a stolen motor 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. Kleitz ran away from the scene. With the help of a Michigan State Police K-9 unit, he was located and arrested a short time later.

Kleitz was arraigned in Cass County District Court, and bond was set at $300,000. A probable cause conference is set for November 2 at 1:30 PM and a preliminary examination is scheduled for November 8 at 1:30 PM.