The buggy was carrying nine people at the time of the crash. Local officials say a total of seven people from the buggy were injured and taken for medical care; reports describe six of those occupants as juveniles, though some local accounts list slightly different age breakdowns.
Adams County Sheriff Dan Mawhorr told reporters the Jeep — driven by 33-year-old Bradley J. Ocilka of Burlington, Kentucky — struck the slower-moving buggy from behind while traveling eastbound on SR 218. Ocilka was taken to the hospital for a legal blood draw but declined other medical attention at the scene. At the time of reporting no charges had been filed while the crash remains under investigation.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva police departments, the Berne Fire Department, Wells and Jay County EMS, Indiana State Police, and Lutheran Hospital’s Flight Team. Officials described the scene as chaotic, with first responders working quickly to provide medical treatment and to secure the site.
