Seven people riding in a horse-drawn buggy were injured late Tuesday night when a Jeep struck the carriage from behind at the intersection of State Road 218 and County Road 000 in Berne. The October 14, 2025, crash threw all occupants from the buggy and sent multiple adults and children to area hospitals for treatment.
What Happened
Deputies say the crash occurred at the intersection of State Road 218 and County Road 000 in Berne. A horse-drawn buggy carrying nine people—six of them children—was traveling along SR 218 when an eastbound Jeep approached from behind. Instead of slowing down to safely overtake the buggy, the Jeep collided with it, ejecting everyone on board.
The 32-year-old buggy driver from Berne was flown to Lutheran Hospital. An adult passenger and five children were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. A woman and her toddler were treated at the scene and released.
The horse survived.
The driver of the Jeep, 33-year-old Bradley Ocilka of Kentucky, was found standing outside the vehicle and declined medical treatment. Deputies later transported him for a legal blood draw as part of the investigation. Multiple emergency crews responded due to the number of injured victims. The crash remains under investigation.
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Can the Driver Be Held Liable?
When a motor vehicle collides with a horse-drawn buggy, investigators must determine how the crash occurred and whether any traffic laws were violated. Drivers approaching slower-moving vehicles are expected to adjust their speed, maintain awareness of roadway conditions, and pass only when it is safe to do so.
To understand whether any legal responsibility may arise, investigators typically review:
- The speed of the approaching vehicle;
- Visibility and lighting conditions at the time of the crash;
- Whether the buggy was properly marked or illuminated;
- The actions of both the motorist and the buggy operator before impact;
- Possible impairment, distraction, or fatigue; and
- Mechanical condition of the vehicles involved.
Conclusions about liability depend on the comprehensive accident reconstruction and evidence gathered by law enforcement.
Why Accidents With Horse-Drawn Vehicles Are So Severe
Horse-drawn buggies offer virtually no protection to their occupants. Unlike motor vehicles, they do not have seat belts, airbags, reinforced frames, or crumple zones to absorb impact forces. When a buggy is struck, the occupants often experience the full force of the collision without any structural barrier to shield them.
As a result, impacts can lead to:
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Internal trauma,
- Spinal injuries, and
- Multiple fractures.
Ejection is common in these accidents due to the lack of restraints, often throwing passengers onto the roadway and increasing the risk of serious injury.
Get Help After a Horse and Buggy Crash
Collisions involving horse-drawn vehicles often result in significant injuries. Understanding what happened and how the crash occurred is an important step for families seeking clarity.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a horse-drawn buggy, contact Silva Injury Law for a free consultation.
