CALIFORNIA TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – Michigan State Police say the driver of a car that struck an Amish buggy in Branch County’s California Township early Saturday morning didn’t see the buggy before the collision, and at first, didn’t know what he had hit.
Two persons were taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne after they suffered what were described as severe injuries in that two vehicle crash in the area of East Southern Road and Kelley Road just after 12:30 a.m.
Fremont Fire Chief Eric Hufnagle says an adult male was transported by Life Care Ambulance to Parkview with a broken leg while an adult female was flown by the Samaritan Helicopter with back and head injuries.
Three other persons were taken by Steuben County EMS to Cameron Memorial Community Hospital in Angola with minor injuries.
Hufnagle says all five of the injured persons were alert and talking with rescue personnel.
Michigan State Police say their preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a passenger car was traveling west on Southern Road when he struck the horse-drawn buggy. The buggy was also headed west.
A car damaged in a crash with an Amish buggy in Branch County’s California Township April 22, 2023 (courtesy Michigan State Police)
The driver of the passenger car, a 35-year-old Fremont, Indiana man, said he did not see the buggy prior to the collision.
He was uninjured and was wearing a seatbelt.
The crash investigation remains open pending lab results and prosecutor’s review. Troopers say alcohol may be a factor in the crash.
