16-Year-Old Amish Teen Killed, 3 Others Seriously Injured; Truck Driver Charged With Speeding
A 16-year-old was killed in Lancaster County Saturday evening, when the buggy he was traveling in was hit by a speeding pickup. Three others in the buggy were seriously injured. From Lancaster Online:
Samuel K. Lapp died as a result of the accident along Route 372 in Eden Township, state police confirmed Monday. Lapp’s older brother, Benuel, who was driving the buggy, was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to Hershey Medical Center where police said he was in “critical” condition.
Also injured were Linda Lapp, 20, of Peach Bottom, and an unidentified 16-year-old boy, both of whom had what police described as “suspected serious injuries.”
Here’s what happened:
Police said a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Jordan Habecker, 21, of Gap was overtaking the buggy as it traveled east along Valley Road, near Bushong Road. As the pickup was about to pass the buggy, Habecker braked and then lost control of his vehicle, causing the truck to hit the back of the open buggy being pulled by two horses. All four buggy passengers were ejected, police said.
It was raining at the time of the crash, which happened at about 7:30 PM, just prior to sunset. Habecker and a passenger were not injured. Habecker was charged with speeding.