Serious Traffic Accident Involving Amish Family Under Investigation

A quiet autumn night in Adams County turned devastating on October 7 when a Jeep slammed into a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218, leaving multiple family members injured and the tight-knit community shaken. The crash, occurring around 11:20 p.m., scattered debris across the two-lane road and triggered a massive emergency response that lasted into the early morning.

Authorities confirmed the buggy carried nine passengers when it was struck from behind by an eastbound Jeep. The impact threw most occupants from the vehicle, leaving the wooden frame splintered across the highway. Witnesses described a chaotic scene: flashing emergency lights, sirens echoing through the fields, and medics rushing to stabilize victims while firefighters cleared wreckage.

The buggy’s driver, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, was critically injured and airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Six others — including five juveniles — were transported to Parkview Hospital for treatment. Two passengers, 32-year-old Saraetta L. Schwartz and a 2-year-old child, declined medical care after evaluation.

The Jeep’s driver, 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky, remained on scene and was taken to a nearby hospital for a mandatory legal blood draw. Authorities have not filed charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Sheriff Dan Mawhorr said initial reports indicate the buggy was traveling lawfully on the right-hand side when the Jeep struck from behind. “Visibility and speed are key factors under review,” he explained, noting the rural stretch is narrow and poorly lit — a common hazard in areas shared by cars and horse-drawn vehicles.

Emergency response involved multiple agencies, including Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva Police, Berne Fire Department, and Indiana State Police. First responders described the scene as intense, with scattered passengers and debris and the buggy destroyed. The horse did not survive the crash.

Photos released show the buggy’s splintered frame, crushed wheels, and personal belongings strewn across the pavement. The Jeep sustained heavy front-end damage and rested in a roadside ditch.