MILWAUKEE, SANILAC County, Wis., Oct. 10, 2026 — A 22-year-old Amish woman died Thursday afternoon, October 8, after a car struck her horse-drawn buggy in Flynn Township. The horse pulling the buggy also died.
The Michigan State Police said troopers responded to the crash on Peck Road near Maple Valley Road around 4:43 p.m. A 55-year-old North Branch man was reportedly driving the car that hit the buggy, according to investigators.
Troopers believe the driver had fallen asleep before the crash, according to the report. The woman and the horse were pronounced dead at the scene.
No further details on injuries to the driver or charges have been released. The crash remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
A Common Misconception About Drowsy-Driving Crashes
Many drivers assume that falling asleep at the wheel means dozing off completely, eyes closed, head down. In reality, the more common pattern is a brief lapse called "microsleep," where a driver's brain disengages for a few seconds without full unconsciousness. A car moving at normal road speed can cross into oncoming traffic or drift off the shoulder in that short window, long before the driver feels drowsy enough to pull over.
Another assumption is that drowsy driving is mostly a late-night, highway problem. Crashes tied to fatigue happen on rural roads and in daylight hours too, often when a driver has been on the road longer than planned or is working against their body's natural rhythm.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy-driving crashes injured an estimated 50,000 people in 2017. The number reflects how often fatigue plays a role in crashes that might otherwise get chalked up to distraction or road conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal-crash investigations typically take?
Timelines vary. Police often release preliminary findings within days, but a full investigation, including toxicology results or mechanical inspections, can take weeks or longer before any findings are final.
What role does impairment play in fatal crashes?
Impairment can include alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. Drowsy driving affects reaction time and judgment in ways similar to alcohol impairment, even though it isn't always tested for in the same way.
Where do fatal crashes involving buggies or slow-moving vehicles most often happen?
These crashes tend to cluster on rural two-lane roads, especially where buggies share the road with faster-moving traffic and visibility or lighting may be limited.
What to Do After a Buggy Crash in Flynn Township, MI
If you're involved in or witness a crash involving a horse-drawn buggy, call 911 immediately and stay at the scene until help arrives. Buggy occupants and horses can suffer serious injuries even in low-speed collisions, so anyone involved should be checked by medical personnel, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious.
Cooperate with responding troopers and provide a clear account of what you saw. If you're a driver on a rural road, give horse-drawn vehicles extra space and slow down well in advance, since buggies can be harder to see and react far more slowly than motor vehicles.
