Horse Killed When Pickup Attempts To Pass Amish Buggy Turning Left
An Amish buggy horse lost its life. But fortunately no people were hurt. It’s a sad case and raises some questions. But I suppose the people involved also have to count their blessings, for it could have been far worse.
This incident happened in Gallia County, Ohio on Friday evening. First, from the report at WTAP:
RIO GRANDE, Ohio (WTAP) — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving an Amish buggy that occurred Thursday night [note: crash happened Friday night] in Gallia County.
The crash was reported at about 9:02 p.m. on April 3 at State Route 325 and Wolf Run Road, according to a highway patrol media release.
An Amish buggy was traveling north on Route 325 and was followed by an orange 2005 Dodge pickup truck, the patrol said. The buggy’s driver attempted to turn left onto Wolf Run Road as the driver of the pickup tried to pass the buggy, the patrol said.
As the horse pulling the buggy began turning onto Wolf Run Road, the pickup struck the horse, the patrol said. The buggy was not struck.
Did the buggy signal the turn? There are two Amish settlements in Gallia County. I visited one of them about a dozen years ago, the larger of the two near Gallipolis.
In at least one of the communities, they do use electric lighting on their buggies and so would have turn signals (if not in both). The Gallipolis community I am pretty certain would have electric lighting.
That would be in contrast to the plainest Amish groups, which have only lanterns, and no way of signaling a turn (by light, in any case). Looking at one station’s map provided in their report, the location appears to be south of the town of Rio Grande, putting it more in the direction of the Gallipolis community.
Was the pickup driver already attempting to pass when the buggy began its turn? That is another possibility. But there is only so much room to speculate based on the limited details given, and there is an investigation ongoing.
The pickup driver may not be to blame at all; we simply don’t know enough. But a takeaway here is also to be aware of the possibility of buggies making left turns, which they do. Really hate to see a horse get killed on the road like this, but also have to be thankful that no people were hurt.
Signals?
Again, you seem to put the responsibility on the English Driver. Why are the Amish not responsible for how they operate on PUBLIC roads where there are LAWS pertaining to PUBLIC usage? It is a Privilege to drive on Public Roads NOT a RIGHT. The whole reason for LAWS. Their rules for operation on PUBLIC roads should not override the LAWS of the PUBLIC road usage.