A late-night tragedy struck near Berne, Indiana, on October 7, when a Jeep collided with a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218. The peaceful area turned chaotic as first responders arrived to find the buggy shattered across the road and the Jeep in a ditch.

The buggy carried nine people. Seven were injured, including six children. “The buggy’s driver, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz, was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital,” while 20-year-old Joseph L.M. Schwartz and five minors were taken to Parkview Hospital. A 2-year-old and 32-year-old Saraetta L. Schwartz declined medical treatment.

According to Sheriff Dan Mawhorr, the buggy “was struck from behind by a Jeep traveling eastbound,” driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Kentucky. Ocilka was given a legal blood draw but refused further care. The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

Emergency services from several counties responded quickly to the complex scene. Photos show the destroyed buggy and flashing lights along the dark rural road.

In the tight-knit Amish community, the emotional impact is profound. Authorities remind drivers to be extra cautious at night and “respect the space and speed differences” of horse-drawn buggies on modern roads.