BERNE, Indiana — A late-night crash on State Road 218 turned a quiet rural road into an emergency scene after a Jeep hit a horse-drawn Amish buggy, ejecting several occupants and sending multiple people to hospital.
First responders were dispatched around 11:20 p.m. on October 7 and arrived to find a heavily damaged buggy scattered across the roadway and a Jeep in a ditch.
The buggy was carrying nine people at the time of the collision. Local officials say seven occupants were injured and taken for medical care; reports indicate six were juveniles, though some accounts differ slightly on the breakdown.
The buggy driver, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital. Joseph L.M. Schwartz, 20, and five juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to Parkview Hospital.
Two additional passengers, Saraetta L. Schwartz, 32, and a 2-year-old, declined treatment at the scene.
Adams County Sheriff Dan Mawhorr said the Jeep, driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky, struck the slower-moving buggy from behind while traveling eastbound on SR 218. Ocilka was taken to hospital for a legal blood draw but refused further treatment at the scene. No charges had been filed at the time of reporting, as the investigation continues.
Multiple agencies responded, including Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva police departments, the Berne Fire Department, Wells and Jay County EMS, Indiana State Police, and the Lutheran Hospital Flight Team. Officials described a chaotic scene as responders worked to provide care and secure the area.
Photos released by authorities show the buggy torn apart and scattered along the rural highway, with emergency lights lining the road. The Amish community in Adams County’s Swiss-Amish settlement is close-knit, and officials say a crash like this can have a significant impact on a single family and their neighbors. Residents and local leaders are expected to support the family during recovery.
The incident highlights the risks faced by horse-drawn buggies on modern roads. Passing or approaching slow-moving vehicles on narrow rural highways can be especially dangerous at night. Safety experts continue to urge drivers to slow down, pass carefully, and leave extra space when buggies are present, as well as watch for reflective markings and sudden changes in speed.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses, with no formal charges announced so far. Updates will follow as more information is released.
Prayers & help: the family faces a difficult recovery. Those wishing to help are encouraged to contact local churches or community organizations, while respecting the family’s privacy.