Jeep Plows Into Amish Buggy Near Berne — Father Airlifted, Several Children Injured in Tragic Late-Night Crash
What started as a peaceful night in rural Indiana quickly turned into a heartbreaking scene after a Jeep slammed into a horse-drawn Amish buggy on State Road 218 near Berne.
The crash happened just before midnight on October 7, leaving shattered wood, twisted metal, and chaos scattered across the dark highway. When emergency teams arrived, they found the buggy destroyed, its passengers thrown onto the roadway, and a heavily damaged Jeep resting in a nearby ditch.
Authorities confirmed that nine people were riding in the buggy at the time of the collision — including multiple children. Seven victims were rushed to local hospitals, while the driver, 32-year-old Ruben L.M. Schwartz of Berne, was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in critical condition.
Another passenger, Joseph L.M. Schwartz, 20, along with five juveniles, were taken by ambulance to Parkview Hospital for treatment. Two others — Saraetta L. Schwartz, 32, and a 2-year-old child — declined medical attention at the scene but were visibly shaken.
Investigators say the buggy was hit from behind by a Jeep driven by Bradley J. Ocilka, 33, of Burlington, Kentucky. The force of the impact sent nearly everyone flying from the buggy. Ocilka was taken to the hospital for a legal blood draw but refused further treatment.
So far, no charges have been filed, but the investigation continues as police work to determine how fast the Jeep was traveling and whether alcohol or distraction played a role.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office, along with Indiana State Police, local EMS, and Berne and Geneva fire crews, responded to what officials described as a “chaotic and emotional scene.”
The horse pulling the buggy ran off after the collision but was later found alive nearby.
Authorities praised the quick action of emergency responders, saying their efforts likely prevented an even greater tragedy. The quiet Amish community of Berne remains in shock — coming together in prayer and support for the family affected by one of the region’s most devastating crashes in recent memory.
