A quiet evening in Berne, Indiana turned tragic when

a Jeep slammed into an Amish buggy on State Road 218

, leaving seven people injured — most of them children.

The violent crash happened around 11:20 p.m.,

scattering debris and passengers across the dark rural road.

First responders found the buggy destroyed and the Jeep resting in a nearby ditch.

Authorities confirmed the buggy carried nine passengers, including six juveniles. Ruben L.M

. Schwartz, 32, was airlifted in critical condition, while Joseph L.M.

Schwartz, 20, and five children were rushed by ambulance

to Parkview Hospital. Two others —

Saraetta L. Schwartz, 32, and a 2-year-old —

declined treatment at the scene. The Jeep’s driver, Bradley

J. Ocilka, 33, of Kentucky, was subjected to a legal blood draw as part of the investigation

. Sheriff Dan Mawhorr said the Jeep struck

the buggy from behind, and while no charges have been filed yet,

the crash remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.