Amish Family Of 9 All Survive Head-On Buggy Crash, Now Recovering At Home

We had some good news on the Amish family in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, involved in a head-on collision earlier this week.

All ten people involved were injured – one Amish adult, eight Amish children, and the car driver. Initial reports suggested a bad scene, with a three-month-old baby “trapped under the buggy”.

But good news came later the following day when local sources reported that the family, though dealing with a number of injuries, including skull fractures, was “going to be fine”.

That might have been downplaying it just a bit – as details in a new report suggest – but the general idea appears correct. Here’s an update from WFMJ on the Daniel Miller family:

A family of nine whose Amish buggy was struck by a vehicle early Thursday morning has returned home.

It happened on State Route 19 in Fairview Township, and community members close to the family say it will be a long road to recovery.

“The whole family is home, they are bruised up pretty bad. Daniel is going to have to have eye surgery, plastic surgery on his eye, got staples in his head, a broken leg but the whole family is home. They are doing alright,” said Kevin Miller, auctioneer and owner of Millers Auctions in Mercer.

As to the car driver (if you missed the updated post), his father explained in a social media post that inclement weather was a factor – and that his son was not at fault.

According to John Schell, his son Will was not speeding, but was trying to avoid another vehicle when his vehicle hydroplaned, doing a 180 and striking the Miller’s buggy “head on” – with its rear. Will Schell sustained injuries himself, but I am assuming and hope is going to be okay as well.

Helping the Family

As an auctioneer, it sounds like Kevin Miller is going to be putting his skills to use for a good cause – planning to host an auction next month for the Daniel Miller family’s benefit (though they share one of the most common last names, I am assuming there is no close relation between the two):

Miller, his wife and two daughters are drumming up support from communities in Mercer and Crawford Counties. Miller tells 21 News they are hosting an auction next month that will see proceeds from donated items go directly to the family.

Additionally, Miller’s daughters have started a GoFundMe for the family. Between the two, they hope to raise at least $50,000 (replacing the buggy and horse lost in the accident alone will cost around $10,000, not to mention hospital bills and lost time at work).

If you’re local, you can attend the auction and support the family. It’s scheduled for February 21st at 10:00 a.m. The location is the Route 19 produce auction at 3823 US-19, Cochranton, PA 16314.

GoFundMe for the Daniel Miller Family

If you would like to contribute, the GoFundMe is here or below. They’re facing a big financial burden, in addition to their physical recovery, so no doubt it will be appreciated.

They organizers write that “Any donation, no matter the size, will go toward helping this family with medical expenses, daily necessities, and support during their recovery.” They also added this on Daniel Miller:

Daniel, the father involved in this accident works at Miller’s Mercer Livestock Auction and is known as a dedicated, hardworking man who takes great pride in his work. He is dependable, respectful, and always willing to lend a hand wherever needed.

Daniel is well-respected by coworkers and community members alike, and his strong work ethic and kindness have made a lasting impression on everyone who knows him.

Daniel has been a valued and trusted employee of our family at Miller’s Mercer Auction since it first opened. My dad visited with him today, January 16, and together they carefully went over all of the details regarding this GoFundMe.

Due to the fact that Daniel does not have access to email or online banking, we mutually agreed that this was the best and most appropriate way to support him. All funds raised will be transferred directly to Daniel via a check.

All funds raised through this GoFundMe will be withdrawn by us and issued to Daniel in the form of a physical check for the full amount raised. That check will be presented to him on the day of the benefit auction on February 21.

In the WFMJ video report below, Kevin Miller describes his former employee Daniel as “just an outgoing person, willing to work, willing to help anybody.”

I know he’s probably not looking for praise, but I’ll just say bravo to Kevin Miller and family for stepping up to help his friend and former employee (it’s a little unclear comparing the wording of the GoFundMe with the news report if Daniel still works at the auction house, but no matter). As of posting, the GoFundMe has already raised over $17,000, so it looks like they’re well on their way to the goal.