The black Nissan Titan driven by Kevin Alan Swihart, Akron, struck a buggy Friday afternoon. Photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

News Release

WARSAW — An Akron man was arrested Friday following a late afternoon collision with an Amish buggy in which one person was airlifted. 

Kevin Alan Swihart, Photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Sgt. Chris Francis, public information officer for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, emergency personnel were called to the 9600 block of North SR 19 around 4:26 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, for a crash involving a southbound pickup truck and a buggy. 

Witnesses told dispatchers that a black Nissan Titan fled the scene after striking the buggy.

Deputies determined that the buggy was traveling south along the shoulder of the roadway when it was struck from behind by the Nissan.

The force of the impact destroyed the buggy, which was operated by Wayne Hochstetler, 45, Milford, who was treated and released at the scene. A juvenile female was airlifted from the scene to the Parkview Regional Medical Center, where she remains in stable condition. 

Concerned individuals subsequently reported witnessing erratic operation of the Nissan in Southern Kosciusko County. Law enforcement units immediately converged on the area. 

An officer with the Akron Police Department found the pickup near Athens in Fulton County. The driver of the pickup was identified as Kevin Alan Swihart, 30, Akron.

Swihart was taken into custody without further incident. 

Responding agencies included Kosciusko County and Fulton County Sheriff’s offices, Akron, Claypool and Mentone police departments, Nappanee Fire and EMS and Parkview Samaritan Air Ambulance.

The buggy was traveling south along the shoulder of the roadway when it was struck from behind by the Nissan. Photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office