A late-night crash in rural Indiana left several people — including children — seriously injured after a Jeep collided with a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218 near Berne. The accident happened around 11:20 p.m. on October 7, shattering the stillness of the countryside and prompting a massive emergency response.
According to authorities, the buggy carried nine occupants, seven of whom were hospitalized. Among them were six juveniles and 32-year-old Ruben L. M. Schwartz, who was airlifted with severe injuries. The Jeep driver, 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Kentucky, was taken for a legal blood draw and released pending investigation.
First responders described a chaotic scene — the buggy splintered, debris scattered, and responders working through the night under flashing red lights. Multiple local and state agencies joined forces to assist, underscoring the challenges of crashes involving both modern vehicles and horse-drawn transport.
Officials have not yet released updates on the victims’ conditions. The tragedy has renewed concern about road safety in Amish communities, where traditional travel methods share space with high-speed traffic — a reminder of how fragile the balance can be between two very different ways of life.
