Collisions between large commercial vehicles and Amish horse-drawn buggies are often catastrophic due to the extreme difference in speed and protection. A December 3rd crash in LaGrange County, Indiana, underscores the vulnerability of buggy passengers traveling along rural highways shared with fast-moving trucks.
What Happened On U.S. 20?
According to WANE, two people were killed Tuesday afternoon when a dump truck drifted off the roadway and struck an Amish buggy traveling along the shoulder of U.S. 20 near County Road 1000 West, just west of Shipshewana.
Indiana State Police reported that the crash occurred shortly after 3 p.m. The dump truck veered to the right for unknown reasons and crashed into the eastbound buggy. The impact destroyed the carriage and caused fatal injuries to both occupants.
The victims, identified by the LaGrange County Coroner’s Office as 75-year-old Marvin Shrock and 74-year-old Ruby Shrock, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not indicated whether the two were related. Police said impairment is not suspected, but the investigation into why the 20-year-old truck driver left the roadway remains ongoing.
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Can the Truck Driver Be Held Liable?
Indiana law requires drivers to maintain control of their vehicles and operate them safely to avoid causing collisions. Commercial truck drivers, in particular, are held to high standards of care because of the size and force of their vehicles.
If investigators determine that distraction, fatigue, or unsafe driving contributed to the dump truck drifting off the road, the driver and potentially the trucking company may face civil liability for wrongful death. Even in the absence of impairment, veering off the roadway without justification may be considered negligence under Indiana law.
The Vulnerability of Horse-and-Buggy Travelers
Amish buggies offer little structural protection. With no airbags, seatbelts, or reinforced frames, occupants are exposed to the full force of the impact. Commercial trucks weighing tens of thousands of pounds can obliterate lightweight buggies, making survival in such collisions rare.
In rural Indiana, where buggies routinely travel on the shoulders of state highways, even a momentary lapse by a motorist can result in irreparable harm.
Why Are These Cases Complex?
Fatal buggy collisions require detailed investigation, including reconstruction of the crash, review of the truck’s maintenance records, and examination of the driver’s logs and potential distractions. Trucking companies often deploy insurance representatives quickly, which can complicate the evidence-gathering process for victims’ families. Establishing liability may involve multiple parties and competing narratives.
Get Legal Help After a Horse-Drawn Buggy Crash
The loss of Marvin and Ruby Shrock is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers Amish families face when traveling on shared roadways. Their loved ones now face questions about accountability and what comes next.
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost a family member in a livestock-related or buggy-related crash, contact Silva Injury Law for a free consultation.
