(11-4-25) Just after midnight Saturday morning in Adams County, Adams County Sheriff’s Officers, firefighters and medics responded to a crash that involved multiple horse-drawn buggies near County Road 200 South and County Road 400 East.

A 19-year-old, who had just left a birthday party where the homeowners had given him and other visitors alcohol, was driving a buggy when he tried to pass a buggy that was in front of him. That is when two buggies coming from the opposite direction saw the first oncoming buggy and swerved into a ditch to avoid the crash, but the second buggy would collide with the 19-year-old’s buggy head-on.

After the crash the 19-year-old was found to be unconscious and missing two teeth. He was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital for treatment of his injuries, including a concussion, swelling, abrasions and bruising.

David LL Schwartz and Annie A Schwartz are now facing a Level 6 felony charge of furnishing alcohol to minors, proximate cause to serious injury. 

The two buggies coming from the opposite direction had also been at a gathering where the homeowner furnished them with alcohol. That homeowner admitted to deputies that minors consumed alcohol on his property, which he said he allows them to drink if they stay at the home.

Mahlon K Schwartz faces a Class C infraction count of providing use of property for minor consumption. Naoma RM Schwartz faces a a Class B misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to minors. 

The 19-year-old who caused the crash was charged with an OWI charge with endangering, a Class A misdemeanor; minor consumption, a Class C misdemeanor; improper passing, a Class C infraction; and serious injury with implied consent refusal, a Class C infraction. 

Two of the passengers in the oncoming buggies are facing Class C misdemeanor counts of minor consumption.