A peaceful October night in rural Indiana turned tragic when a Jeep rear-ended an Amish buggy on State Road 218 near Berne. The late-night crash, reported just after 11:20 p.m. on October 7, left the buggy splintered across the highway and emergency crews scrambling in the dark.
Nine people had been riding in the buggy, including several children. Seven were injured. The driver, 32-year-old Ruben L. M. Schwartz, was critically hurt and flown to Lutheran Hospital. Joseph L. M. Schwartz, 20, and five children were taken by ambulance to Parkview Hospital. Two passengers — 32-year-old Saraetta L. Schwartz and a 2-year-old — declined treatment at the scene.
According to Sheriff Dan Mawhorr, the Jeep was driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Kentucky, who struck the buggy from behind in the dark. He was taken for a legal blood draw but refused additional medical care. No charges were filed immediately as the investigation is ongoing.
The crash drew a major response from EMS teams, local police, firefighters, state police, and an air ambulance unit. Photos later released show the buggy destroyed, debris scattered, and emergency lights cutting through the rural night.
For the local Amish community, where horse-drawn travel is part of daily life, the incident hit hard. Neighbors quickly began offering meals, help, and childcare as the Schwartz family faced painful injuries and emotional trauma.
Authorities continue to investigate, urging drivers to slow down, maintain extra distance, and be vigilant when sharing the road with buggies — especially at night. One moment of inattention, they warned, can change lives in an instant.