BERNE, Indiana — A quiet night in rural Adams County turned tragic when a devastating collision between a Jeep and a horse-drawn Amish buggy shattered the stillness of State Road 218. The crash occurred around 11:20 p.m. on October 7, transforming a peaceful country stretch into a scene of flashing lights, sirens, and chaos as first responders rushed to help the victims scattered across the roadway.
When emergency crews arrived, they found the buggy completely destroyed — its wooden frame splintered across the pavement — and a Jeep resting in a nearby ditch with significant front-end damage. The wreckage painted a grim picture of the force of impact.
Authorities confirmed that nine people had been riding in the buggy at the time of the crash. Seven of them sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical. Six of the injured were juveniles, according to initial reports, though some local sources listed slightly different age details.
The buggy’s driver, 32-year-old Ruben L. M. Schwartz of Berne, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital for advanced care. Joseph L. M. Schwartz, 20, along with five young passengers, were taken by ambulance to Parkview Hospital for treatment. Two others — Saraetta L. Schwartz, 32, and a 2-year-old child — were reportedly evaluated at the scene but declined further medical assistance.
Adams County Sheriff Dan Mawhorr explained that the Jeep, driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky, was traveling east on SR 218 when it collided with the slower-moving buggy from behind. The violent impact threw several passengers from the buggy and caused extensive damage to both vehicles.
Ocilka was taken to a local hospital for a mandatory legal blood draw as part of the investigation but reportedly refused additional medical treatment. As of the latest update, no charges had been filed, and authorities emphasized that the incident remains under active investigation.
The response effort was massive, with multiple agencies converging on the crash site. Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva Police Departments, the Berne Fire Department, Wells and Jay County EMS, Indiana State Police, and Lutheran Hospital’s Flight Team all assisted in rescue and recovery operations.
Officials described the aftermath as “chaotic and emotional,” with first responders working swiftly to provide emergency care under the harsh glare of floodlights while others secured the area and directed traffic. The shattered buggy pieces, scattered belongings, and frightened horses made the scene especially difficult to manage.
As investigators continue to piece together what happened in those final moments before the crash, the community of Berne — home to one of Indiana’s largest Amish populations — is left reeling from yet another reminder of the dangers horse-drawn buggies face on modern roadways.
