Amish Man, 30, Killed Riding E-Bike in Chain-Reaction Crash
On my last visit to Holmes County, Ohio – December – I saw more e-bikes on the road than I did buggies, reflecting how popular they’ve become in America’s second-largest Amish community.
These are very handy for getting around in this hilly area. But safety is an issue with a vehicle that can reach speeds of 20 mph or more, and which has become so prevalent.
And sadly, news has come that a 30-year-old Amish man riding an e-bike was killed in the community yesterday – in what’s been described as a “chain reaction” wreck. From Fox 8:
WALNUT CREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) — A man operating an electric bicycle died after being struck by two vehicles in back-to-back crashes early Wednesday on a local highway.
The driver involved in the first crash was seriously injured when he got out to check on the man, leading to the second crash, according to a Facebook post from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.
Jason L. Yoder, 30, of Sugarcreek, was riding an electric bicycle west on the berm of state Route 39, near the Township Road 420 intersection, just after 5 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
Yoder attempted to turn left into the driveway of Sharon Mennonite Church, but he crossed into the path of a Jeep Wrangler being driven by a 27-year-old Stone Creek man, and hit the Jeep’s passenger side, according to the post.
Jason Yoder ended up laying in the eastbound lane. The Jeep driver then got out to check on Yoder – at which time they were both hit by a driver heading east.
Yoder was declared dead on the scene, while the Jeep driver, Anthony S. Parson, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, and is in critical condition.
Two Details To Consider
Two things to note – first, this was early morning – before the sun was up. At this time of year, the sun rises in that area closer to 7 AM, and this happened right after 5 AM. So it was dark outside.
But it sound like Jason Yoder was properly equipped for riding in dark conditions – wearing both a reflective vest and “an operable rear flashing light,” according to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office report.
The other thing – the way it’s described in the report suggests that Yoder turned into the path of the Jeep. It seems that he was the one that hit the Jeep, not the other way around, at least by this wording:
Yoder attempted to make a left-hand turn into the driveway of Sharon Mennonite Church when his bicycle entered the path of a westbound 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The bicycle collided with the passenger side of the Jeep.
However, that wording/description is confusing, because if he was taking a left-hand turn, he’d be much more apt to strike the driver’s side of the oncoming Jeep, if the bicycle were in fact the thing “colliding” with the vehicle.
I am scratching my head as to how it could collide with the passenger side. Maybe that’s just an error, or, maybe I haven’t had enough coffee yet today. Update: I hadn’t had enough coffee today – the report clearly states that he was also traveling westbound, on the berm. My apologies for not getting that.
In that case it sounds like he was making a left turn from the berm area across both traffic lanes, and perhaps was somehow not aware of the vehicle approaching from behind, or perhaps thought he could turn out in front of it in time, or perhaps was simply attempting to merge into the westbound lane to begin his left turn, when he impacted the passenger side. That’s just me trying to make sense of it and I’m sure the investigators have, or soon will have, a clearer understanding of just how it unfolded.
Amish & The E-Bike In Holmes County
The Holmes County, Ohio Amish settlement has been called “ground zero” for e-bikes, due to their widespread popularity – and de facto acceptance in many of the area’s Amish churches.
And it’s true that, especially at certain times of day and week, you’re more likely to encounter Amish people riding e-bikes than you will see Amish travelers in buggies. In fact, they could probably be fairly described as many Amish people’s “primary” form of transport.
Of course, not all Amish in the area agree with their use, and not just those in the obviously plainer churches of the community, like the Swartzentruber groups.
To take one concern, as an Amish bishop put it in a 2024 report for Forbes, “my biggest concern is they are exchanging the Amish mode of travel for higher-speed transportation that will eventually lead to the car.”
But like other tech, once it’s this ingrained, it’s highly unlikely they are going away. Numerous stores have taken up selling e-bikes in the community, such as this one.
Jason L. Yoder’s obituary is here. Jason is survived by his wife and two daughters, and had another child on the way, in addition to numerous other loved ones. According to his obit, Jason worked at a local stone company, and loved to fish.
Condolences and prayers to his family and community. We also wish the best to Anthony Parson, the Jeep driver, and that his condition will soon improve.
More puzzlement
Eric,
Not only is what you mentioned about the side of vehicle impact questionable, but there is no direct access into Sharon Mennonite Church from Rt 39. It is therefore impossible for the rider to be turning into the driveway of that church from the berm of Rt 39.
There is a 100 percent chance those with electric bikes do eventually introduce cars.
It will lead to other technology, to the point they are like modern Mennonites.
..but then again, we are a selfish species and always want more, more, more.
I'm Surprised?
I’m surprised that the Ordnung, local, or otherwise, would allow e-Bikes?
When did this become a “thing” with the Amish?
I’ll be heading into Amish country in Penna. in the near future, I’ll be on the lookout
for Amish riding e-Bikes.
Additionally, I’ll be more alert for Amish on e-Bikes in the Upstate New York (Seneca Falls, Romulus, Dundee, Penn Yan, etc.) areas.
My condolences to Jason’s family.