Crashes involving commercial trucks and horse-drawn buggies often result in severe or life-threatening injuries due to the extreme size and weight differences between the vehicles. A serious October 2025 collision in Stark County, Ohio, left a buggy driver critically injured and killed the horse pulling the buggy.
What Happened in Stark County
According to WKYC, the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a crash around 4:09 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. Route 62 in Sugar Creek Township.
Investigators said a tractor-trailer traveling west struck a horse-drawn buggy operated by a 36-year-old man from Beach City. The buggy driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton for emergency treatment. Authorities confirmed that the horse pulling the buggy died at the scene. The semi-truck driver, a 44-year-old man from Canton, was not injured.
Troopers stated that alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash. The investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.
Can the Truck Driver Be Held Liable?
Ohio drivers must operate their vehicles at a speed and in a manner that is reasonable for the roadway conditions and surrounding traffic. Commercial drivers are held to an exceptionally high standard of care due to the destructive force of tractor-trailers.
If investigators determine that the semi-truck driver failed to maintain proper control, misjudged distance, or did not account for the presence of slow-moving traffic, civil liability may arise, even in the absence of impairment. Liability may also extend to the trucking company if factors such as inadequate training, fatigue, or maintenance issues contributed to the crash.
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The Vulnerability of Buggy Operators
Horse-drawn buggies provide virtually no protection in collisions with large commercial vehicles. Buggy operators frequently lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, or reinforced frames, leaving them directly vulnerable to impact forces. When struck by a semi-truck, injuries are often catastrophic or fatal, and horses pulling the buggies are rarely able to survive the collision.
In rural Ohio communities where Amish buggies frequently travel on state routes, even a brief lapse in attention by a motorist can lead to irreversible harm.
Why These Cases Are Complex
A thorough investigation of collisions between semi-trucks and buggies necessitates a comprehensive review. This includes crash reconstruction, vehicle data analysis, and an examination of the truck driver’s logs and training records. Trucking companies and insurers often begin defending claims immediately, which can complicate the preservation of evidence for injured victims.
Establishing fault may involve multiple parties and layers of insurance coverage, making legal guidance particularly important for those who have been seriously injured.
Talk to an Experienced Attorney
This Stark County crash highlights the devastating consequences that can occur when commercial vehicles and horse-drawn buggies share the same roadway. For victims and families facing severe injuries or loss, understanding legal rights is critical.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a livestock- or buggy-related crash, contact Silva Injury Law today for a free consultation.
