Claims Life of Four Year Old Amish Girl

(Berne, IN)-  Shortly after 12:00pm this afternoon, troopers from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post, officers from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Adams County EMS and Berne Fire Department personnel, responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle crash on US27 in southern Adams County where a child was unresponsive.

Upon arrival officers found a child being tended to by first responders at the intersection of US27 and CR350S, just north of Berne. Despite all lifesaving measures provided at the scene by EMS and fire personnel, the child remained unresponsive and was immediately transported to the Adams County Memorial Hospital in Decatur, where sadly she succumbed to her injuries.

Master Trooper Kurt Jack’s preliminary investigation has revealed that Barbara JC Graber, four years old, of Berne, IN, and two other Amish children were running across US27, crossing into the path of a southbound 2006 Buick passenger car operated by Wayne Foust (82) of Berne, IN.  Barbara Graber was struck and critically injured by Foust’s vehicle. The other two children were not injured. 

Further investigation revealed that the children had been attending an Amish wedding ceremony at a residence on the northeast corner of the intersection, and at the time were walking to a residence on the southwest corner of the intersection, where the wedding reception was being held.

This crash investigation is ongoing.  The driver, Wayne Foust, is fully cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues, however alcohol or other issues of impairment are not suspected as contributing factors. There is no further information to release at this time.

The Adams County Coroner’s office has made notification to the Graber family. 

Master Trooper Jack was assisted in this investigation by the troopers from the Fort Wayne Post, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Adams County EMS, Berne Fire Department, and the Adams County Coroner.