Adams County, IN (June 8, 2026) – A 16-year-old girl died, and another teenager was injured after a crash involving a horse-drawn buggy and a semi-truck early on Saturday morning in Adams County.
According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 2:11 a.m. on June 6 to State Road 124 near County Road 200 East after reports of a personal injury crash involving a buggy and a commercial semi-truck. Investigators said both vehicles were traveling westbound when the semi-truck struck the buggy from behind for reasons still under review.
First responders found two occupants inside the buggy, injured at the scene. Sixteen-year-old Laura Schwartz of rural Decatur was pronounced dead at the scene. Another teen, Joe Schwartz, 16, of rural Monroe, was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
Emergency units from multiple agencies assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by authorities. We send our deepest sympathies to the grieving family and friends.
What Information Is Commonly Reviewed After a Buggy and Truck Collision?
Collisions involving horse-drawn buggies and larger vehicles are often reviewed by examining visibility, lighting, and roadway conditions at the time of impact. These crashes can occur during early morning or low-light hours when it may be harder for drivers to see slower-moving traffic ahead.
Investigators may also assess speed, following distance, and whether reflective markings or lighting were present on the buggy. The position of both vehicles before and after impact can help reconstruct how the crash occurred.
Roadway design and traffic flow are also commonly reviewed, especially on rural highways where different types of vehicles share the same lanes. These factors can help explain how a rear-end collision involving a slower-moving vehicle unfolded.
