Jeep plows into Amish buggy near Berne — father airlifted, multiple children
A quiet rural road near Berne, Indiana, turned into a scene of chaos late Monday night after a Jeep crashed into a horse-drawn Amish buggy, injuring several members of one family and sending a father to the hospital by air ambulance. The crash happened around 11:20 p.m. on October 7 along State Road 218, a road often traveled by both vehicles and Amish buggies.
When first responders arrived, they found the buggy badly destroyed and scattered across the roadway, with the Jeep resting in a nearby ditch. The buggy had been carrying nine people at the time of the crash. According to local officials, seven of those passengers were injured and taken to area hospitals for treatment. Six of the injured were reported to be children.
The driver of the buggy, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital for emergency care. A 20-year-old passenger, Joseph L.M. Schwartz, along with five children, were transported by ambulance to Parkview Hospital. Two other passengers, 32-year-old Saraetta L. Schwartz and a 2-year-old child, were checked at the scene but declined further medical treatment.
Authorities say the Jeep was driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky. Investigators believe the Jeep was traveling eastbound when it struck the slower-moving buggy from behind. Ocilka was taken to a hospital for a legal blood draw as part of the investigation but did not require medical treatment at the scene. As of the last official update, no charges had been filed, and the crash remains under active investigation.
Multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, including Adams County EMS, the Berne and Geneva Police Departments, the Berne Fire Department, Wells and Jay County EMS, the Indiana State Police, and Lutheran Hospital’s Flight Team. Officials described the scene as overwhelming and urgent, with first responders working quickly in the dark to secure the area and provide medical aid to the injured.
Photos released afterward show the buggy completely broken apart along the road, with emergency lights illuminating the rural highway late into the night. Members of the local Amish community, which is close-knit in Adams County, were deeply shaken by the incident. Accidents involving buggies often affect entire families and communities, and neighbors are expected to come together to support those involved during the recovery period.
Safety officials remind drivers that horse-drawn buggies remain a common sight on many rural Indiana roads, especially at night. Motorists are urged to remain alert, slow down, and pass only when it is safe to do so. Reflective markers and lanterns on buggies help with visibility, but sudden speed differences can still lead to dangerous situations if drivers are not paying attention.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing as authorities review evidence and speak with witnesses. Officials have not released any further updates on the condition of the injured. Community members have been encouraged to keep the family in their thoughts and to respect their privacy as they recover. If residents wish to help, local churches and community organizations are expected to collect support for the family in the coming days.
