(Another) Hit-and-Run Leaves Seven Amish Injured
This one happened in upstate New York. From news10.com:
JACKSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that happened on Tuesday between a car and an Amish buggy. The crash was on State Route 22 in the town of Jackson, officials said.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash around 4:20 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office. At the time of the crash, there were reportedly five children and two adults in the buggy. All occupants were taken to Albany Medical Center with apparent non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
The other vehicle involved in the crash allegedly fled the scene. Sheriff’s investigators are working to identify the vehicle and its driver, according to officials.
It’s a big number of victims but fortunately no injuries are life-threatening (apparently).
Hit and runs involving Amish buggies, unfortunately, are not uncommon.
I just did a quick search of this site, and found posts on about a dozen of them (and I don’t cover all buggy accidents, not even close). So that’s just a sample over the years.
However, one thing I hadn’t before considered just occurred to me.
Are drivers more likely to hit-and-run if the victim is Amish?
This is pure speculation, but could it be that people in this situation are more apt to “run” if the vehicle they hit is an Amish buggy, and not another motor vehicle?
First off, I am supposing that the decision to “run” is made quickly – and not after a long pause for deliberations.
But if you imagine being in such circumstances – the shock of the unexpected impact, panic and fear suddenly gripping you – could it be that the fact that the victims are Amish may work to encourage fleeing the scene?
First of all: do the Amish even get the police involved? (the split-second thinking might go). Maybe I can get away with this if I just floor it.
For sure, there are no on-board recording devices on a buggy which would capture the license plate and make and model of the perpetrator’s vehicle.
Add to that the more abstract idea that the Amish are “other”. I didn’t hit one of my “own” – I hit one of them.
That’s a base-level way of thinking about it, but I’m speculating on what might trigger people to do this in the moment.
Again – I have no numbers or data to suggest that Amish buggies are more often victims of hit-and-runs than cars.
But it makes you (or at least, me) wonder.
Saying prayers
Hoping all the Amish in the accident in Washington County are all OK. Really glad their injuries were not life threatening.
This is around in my area. I buy from some of them. Saying lots of prayers.
Really hope they catch the person. Don’t understand why they run from all the Amish accidents. It is really sad.
NY Amish Buggy Accident
Seems I’m not the only one who has ever wondered if motorists “run” because the victims are Amish. Some folks have heard the Amish are rarely involved in lawsuits and probably believe they rarely involve law enforcement. Too bad the driver who fled the scene has their days numbered: not like the Amish are blind or never tell their stories to family and friends. And let’s not forget that there may be other eyewitnesses to this awful scene. I for one will be thrilled when the motorist is caught . . . And prosecuted! Shame on him/her for leaving the scene. Amish are “people” too. Just my opinion folks.
Yes that erroneous idea that they don’t involve the law might play into it here too as well.
Going around a buggy
Here in Upstate NY . The Amish are becoming a HUGE part of our community. We need to teach drivers the correct way to pass them. They need to learn to watch for them because they are on roads out in the country but also busy places where people go faster then 55 mph. I have observed many going around a buggy in an unsafe manner. Because it’s not a car people think they do not have to follow the rules of the road. I think for everyone’s safety we should educate people.