Jeep plows into Amish buggy near Berne — father airlifted, multiple children
A quiet stretch of rural Indiana highway became the scene of heartbreak late Monday night after a Jeep struck a horse-drawn Amish buggy near Berne, leaving a father critically injured and several children hurt.
The crash happened just before midnight along State Road 218, when a Jeep traveling west reportedly slammed into the rear of the buggy. The impact was so powerful that the wooden buggy was torn apart, scattering debris across the roadway and throwing its passengers onto the pavement.
Emergency responders arrived to find a chaotic scene in near-total darkness. Authorities confirmed that nine people were riding in the buggy, including multiple children. Seven of them were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
The buggy’s driver, identified as 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition. A 20-year-old passenger and five juveniles were taken by ambulance to Parkview Hospital. Two others, including a 32-year-old woman and a 2-year-old child, declined medical treatment at the scene but were visibly shaken.
Investigators said the Jeep was driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky. He was taken to a hospital for a legal blood draw but declined medical care. No charges have been filed at this time as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including speed and possible impairment.
Multiple agencies responded, including the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, local EMS, and fire crews from Berne and Geneva. Officials described the response as emotionally intense, noting that the victims included several children from the close-knit Amish community.
The horse pulling the buggy fled the scene after the collision but was later located alive nearby, offering a small measure of relief amid the devastation.
Local officials praised the swift actions of first responders, saying their efforts likely prevented further loss of life. In the aftermath, the Berne community has come together in prayer and support for the family as they face a long and uncertain recovery.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say more information will be released as it becomes available.
