Amish Father & 3-Year-Old In Coma Following Deadly Crash; Fundraiser To Help Family

This is a follow-up on the story of the crash in central PA which claimed two Amish children’s lives on Sunday night.

A family friend (I assume) has started a GoFundMe for the Zook family, who are victims in the Northumberland County, PA crash. The GoFundMe provides some updates as well as photos.

First, more tragic details on the two children, Caleb and Rebekah, who lost their lives, as well as updates on the parents and little boy.

This is Caleb’s obituary and this is Rebekah’s. Caleb was a third-grader, and Rebekah a second-grader. The photo below is their school:

Both father Ervan Zook and mother Leah Zook went to hospital, as well as three-year-old Luke, and a baby. Ervan and Luke appear to be in bad shape:

Ervan and his wife Leah Zook were in a horrific accident on 9/28/2025 while heading home with their children when their carriage was struck from behind, causing the loss of their 9-year-old son Caleb and 7-year-old daughter Rebekah.

Ervan, Leah, and the 3-year-old Luke suffered serious injuries and at this time Ervan and 3 year old Luke are sedated.

Ervan is suffering from a brain bleed and the baby suffered a broken collarbone and some fractured ribs. Leah is alert and aware what’s going on has a broken Vertebrae. They also lost their precious carriage horses.

This is the follow-up from September 29, the day after the accident:

Leah is still alert and aware.

Baby sustained a broken collar bone and ribs but is doing well at this time.

The 3 year old Luke they took off sedation but has not woken up yet at this time and they are not sure why.

Ervan they started lifting the sedation but he became agitated from pain and brain bleed so he is still sedated. Again please continue to prayer for this family and all involved.

And as of September 30 (Adam I believe is the name of the baby):

Leah and Adam were being discharged and will be staying at the Ronald McDonald house.

Luke was lightly sedated again with breathing tube which at 9pm they were going to try to reverse otherwise he is healthy and no injuries.

Ervin has a longer road ahead of him. He is off sedation but is not awake but did squeeze hand on command. The dr said his brain needs more time to heal.

The driver of the motor vehicle said that he believed he fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the crash. The Amish ask for prayers for him as well:

The Amish community also asks for prayers for all the first responders and the driver of the vehicle. All money collected will be given to their deacon.

The Daily Voice report adds the following; it appears that charges against the driver are pending:

Koperna suffered minor injuries and was treated at Geisinger. Both his Mini Cooper and the buggy were destroyed and towed from the crash site.

Criminal charges against Koperna are pending. State police confirmed the investigation remains active and said charges will be filed once their probe is complete.

The next photo is of the funeral tent which was set up for the children’s funeral. Today (October 1st) is their viewing.

The Amish community of course came together quickly to support the family:

This amish community pulled together and had the tent up in less then 24 hours after the accident.

They also did all the outside chores and cleaned around their home and the ladies completely cleaned the inside even doing ironing when I was there.

The fundraiser previously had a $35,000 goal, which it looks like it has just surpassed; it is now $50,000.

I’m sure that they will need and appreciate every contribution as the family recovers. The latest update also contains this from Leah:

Leah was very emotional over all the support that has been shown to their family and is very grateful for the gonfung me.

Please let’s try to hit 50k as it will be a long time till Ervan is back to work. Leah also wants to thank everyone and God bless.

If you’d like to, you can donate to help the family here. You can also send cards and flowers to the address: 211 Hill Road, Dornsife, PA 17823.

Get the Amish in your inbox

Join 15,000 email subscribers. No spam. 100% free

 

 

 

Subscribe