Berne, Indiana (10-8-25) – Last night near Berne a Jeep and an Amish buggy on State Road 218 near County Road 000 left multiple people from the buggy injured.
At approximately 11:20 p.m. on October 7th, deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from multiple emergency services, were dispatched to the scene of a serious traffic crash involving a jeep and a horse-drawn buggy.
Upon arrival first responders found a black Jeep in a roadside ditch and an Amish buggy in pieces scattered across the roadway. Several individuals were injured, including seven juveniles among the buggy’s nine occupants.
The buggy’s driver, Ruben L.M. Schwartz (33) of Berne, was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital. Joseph L.M. Schwartz (20) and five juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to Parkview Hospital. Two other passengers, Saraetta L. Schwartz (32) and her 2-year-old son, declined medical treatment.
The Jeep’s driver, identified as Bradley J. Ocilka (33) of Burlington, Kentucky, was found standing outside his vehicle and he declined medical attention. He was taken to Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur for a legal blood draw but again refused treatment.
The response included Adams County EMS, Berne and Geneva Police Departments, Berne Fire Department, Wells and Jay County EMS, Indiana State Police and Lutheran Hospital’s Flight Team.
Investigators determined that both vehicles were traveling eastbound on SR 218 when the Jeep struck the buggy from behind. The impact damaged the SUV’s front passenger side and triggered its airbags. The buggy was thrown from the road, ejecting its occupants.
Lehman’s Auto Repair of Berne removed both the Jeep and the remains of the buggy from the scene.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident remains under investigation.
Mercer County Outlook 