Jeep plows into Amish buggy near Berne, father airlifted, multiple children!

As the injured were transported to nearby hospitals, investigators closed the road and began reconstructing the collision. The Jeep driver remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. Blood samples were taken as part of standard procedure, though officials have not yet released toxicology results. The investigation is ongoing, but the physical reality was already clear. A wooden buggy, even one marked with reflective triangles and lanterns, offers almost no protection when struck by a modern vehicle traveling at speed.

For the Amish community surrounding Berne, this was not just another traffic accident. It was a familiar fear made real again.

Amish families rely on horse-drawn buggies as part of their religious commitment to simplicity and separation from modern technology. These buggies share roads with SUVs, pickup trucks, and commercial vehicles capable of traveling at speeds that turn minor mistakes into catastrophic outcomes. While reflective markings and slow-moving vehicle signs are required, visibility does not equal safety, especially at night on rural highways where drivers may be fatigued, distracted, or moving faster than conditions allow.

Each trip after sunset carries an unspoken risk. Every curve, every straightaway, every passing car becomes a calculation between tradition and survival. For the Amish, the road is not just infrastructure; it is a daily negotiation with a world that moves faster than they do and often fails to slow down.

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