A quiet Adams County road erupted into chaos late Monday night when a speeding vehicle collided with a horse-drawn buggy, shattering the usual calm of the rural area and sending a family into emergency care.
BERNE, Indiana — Around 11:20 p.m. on October 7, a Jeep traveling eastbound struck a horse-drawn buggy on State Road 218. The impact ejected nearly all nine occupants of the buggy, leaving the vehicle heavily damaged and debris scattered across the roadway. The Jeep came to rest in a nearby ditch.
The buggy carried nine passengers, including six juveniles. Seven were transported to hospitals with injuries. The buggy’s driver, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital.
Twenty-year-old Joseph L.M. Schwartz and five young passengers were taken by ambulance to Parkview Hospital. Two others—Saraetta L. Schwartz, 32, and a 2-year-old child—declined medical care at the scene.
Adams County Sheriff Dan Mawhorr confirmed that 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky, was driving the Jeep when he struck the slower-moving buggy from behind.
Ocilka submitted to a blood draw for legal purposes but declined on-site medical attention. No charges have been filed, and the crash remains under investigation.
Multiple agencies responded, including Adams County EMS, local police, the Berne Fire Department, Indiana State Police, and Lutheran Hospital’s Flight Team. First responders described the scene as chaotic, working swiftly to stabilize the injured, secure the area, and manage the aftermath.
Conclusion
The crash underscores the risks inherent on rural roads, where motor vehicles and horse-drawn buggies share the same lanes. As authorities continue their investigation, the focus remains on the recovery of the injured family and the ongoing safety of the community.