Jeep Smashes Buggy, Ejects Family of 9 Amish, Five children were, See more!

A quiet autumn night in rural Adams County turned tragic when a Jeep slammed into a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218 late on October 7, leaving multiple members of an Amish family injured and their community reeling. The crash, which occurred around 11:20 p.m., scattered debris across the two-lane highway and prompted a massive emergency response that lasted into the early hours of the morning.

According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the buggy was carrying nine people when it was struck from behind by an eastbound Jeep. The impact was severe enough to throw most of the passengers from the vehicle, leaving the wooden frame splintered across the roadway. Witnesses described a chaotic and heart-wrenching scene — a dark rural stretch suddenly illuminated by flashing emergency lights, sirens echoing through the fields, and medics rushing to stabilize victims as firefighters worked to clear the wreckage.

Authorities identified the buggy’s driver as 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne. He was critically injured and airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne by helicopter. Six other passengers — five of them juveniles — were transported by ambulance to Parkview Hospital in Adams County for treatment of various injuries. Joseph L.M. Schwartz, 20, was among those taken for medical care. Two other passengers, 32-year-old Saraetta L. Schwartz and a 2-year-old child, declined treatment at the scene after being evaluated by medics.

The driver of the Jeep, identified as 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky, remained at the scene and was taken to a nearby hospital for a mandatory legal blood draw, a routine step in serious traffic investigations. Authorities confirmed that Ocilka declined other medical care. As of this report, no charges had been filed, but the Adams County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Sheriff Dan Mawhorr told reporters that early evidence suggests Ocilka’s Jeep struck the buggy from behind while both vehicles were traveling eastbound. “The buggy was operating lawfully on the right-hand side of the roadway,” Mawhorr said. “Visibility and speed are key factors under review.” The sheriff emphasized that the stretch of State Road 218 where the collision occurred is narrow and poorly lit, a common challenge in areas shared by motor vehicles and horse-drawn buggies.

The accident drew a large-scale response from multiple agencies, including Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva Police Departments, the Berne Fire Department, Wells County EMS, Jay County EMS, Indiana State Police, and the Lutheran Hospital Flight Team. First responders described the scene as “intense” and “disorienting,” with limited visibility due to rural darkness and debris spread across the road. “When we arrived, the buggy was destroyed, the horse was deceased, and several people were scattered along the roadside,” one responder said. “It was one of those scenes you don’t forget.”

Photographs released by local authorities show the shattered remains of the buggy — its wheels crushed, the frame splintered, and personal belongings strewn across the pavement. The Jeep, heavily damaged at the front, had come to rest in a roadside ditch.

The collision has deeply affected Berne’s tight-knit Amish community, one of the largest Swiss-Amish settlements in the Midwest. Neighbors have begun organizing assistance for the Schwartz family, offering transportation, meals, and financial help during recovery. “When tragedy strikes one family here, it touches everyone,” said a local Amish elder. “We take care of our own — and right now, this family needs all of us.”

Crashes involving horse-drawn buggies remain an ongoing safety challenge in regions where Amish and non-Amish populations share the road. Horse-drawn vehicles typically travel between 5 and 10 miles per hour, while modern vehicles often exceed 55 mph on the same rural highways. That speed difference leaves little time for drivers to react — especially at night, when visibility is limited.

Safety advocates have repeatedly urged motorists to slow down when approaching buggies and to recognize the unique risks of driving in Amish country. Many buggies are equipped with reflective tape, lanterns, and orange slow-moving-vehicle triangles, but these measures are not foolproof. “Even with reflectors, you don’t always see a buggy until you’re right on top of it,” said one local truck driver. “You have to expect the unexpected when driving these roads.”

Local officials have echoed the same message for years: patience saves lives. Passing too quickly, driving distracted, or failing to account for low lighting can have devastating consequences. Sheriff Mawhorr emphasized that while investigations take time, the broader lesson is immediate — rural motorists must remain alert and give horse-drawn vehicles extra space. “We share the road,” he said. “That means slowing down, staying aware, and respecting the fact that not everyone is traveling in a car.”

Incidents like this one also raise broader discussions about infrastructure and awareness. Some Indiana counties have added signage along rural highways warning of buggy traffic, while others have installed wider shoulders or reflective road markings. Advocates argue that both drivers and local governments have a role to play in preventing future tragedies.

As of now, authorities continue to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Investigators are analyzing the Jeep’s speed, braking distance, and point of impact. They are also reviewing whether visibility, lighting, or potential driver impairment contributed to the collision. Toxicology results from Ocilka’s mandatory blood test are pending. Witness interviews are ongoing, and officials expect to release additional findings in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Schwartz family remains in the thoughts and prayers of the broader community. Several local churches have organized prayer gatherings, and donation drives are underway to assist with medical expenses and transportation costs. “The Amish are people of deep faith,” said a local resident familiar with the family. “Their strength comes from community and prayer. But it’s still an unimaginable ordeal — especially for the children.”

This devastating crash serves as yet another reminder of the delicate balance between modern transportation and traditional ways of life. The horse-drawn buggy, a symbol of simplicity and peace, becomes a source of danger when forced to share high-speed roadways with modern vehicles. Yet, for many Amish families, it remains their only means of travel — essential for work, worship, and family visits.

As investigators piece together what happened that night on State Road 218, the message from law enforcement and local leaders remains clear: every driver has a duty to stay alert, especially on rural roads where slower-moving vehicles might appear without warning. “Tragedies like this aren’t just accidents,” Sheriff Mawhorr said. “They’re preventable.”

The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not announced whether any charges will be filed. For now, the focus remains on recovery — both physical and emotional — for the Schwartz family and the wider community of Berne, who are once again reminded how fragile life can be on quiet country roads.