On CR 1350 North a horse-drawn buggy was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Two passengers were inside the buggy.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

Nappanee Fire Department and Multi-Township EMS responded to an accident involving a car and an Amish buggy at approximately 6:20 p.m. Friday.

A Milford toddler and her father were taken to a South Bend hospital in serious condition after their buggy collided with a car at 5414 W. CR 1350 N., near Nappanee.

Kosciusko County Fatal Accident Crash Team/crash investigators and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies stated today that information gathered at the scene indicated Arlen R. Lehman, 51, of Milford, was pulling out of the private driveway at Focal Wood Products in his horse drawn buggy. Lehman had attempted to stop his horse from entering onto the road when it suddenly trotted out into the path of a 2002 Volkswagen JGS driven by Jodi R. Kauffman, 23, of Etna Green.

According to the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, the horse-drawn-buggy pulled in front of her vehicle as she was heading west on CR 1350.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

Kauffman said she was westbound approaching the driveway when she saw the horse enter onto the road from behind a row of pine trees. Kauffman began to immediately brake but slid into the side of the passenger carriage, causing it to roll onto its side.

Lehman and his 4-year-old daughter, Ranae Lehman, were airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital in serious condition. The girl, according to a friend of the family, suffered a broken nose. Kauffman was not injured in the crash, nor were Lehman’s wife and two children, ages 10 and 11 who were also inside the buggy.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team advised that the crash is still under investigation at this time. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The Indiana State Police also assisted in the crash investigation.