Driver Kills Amish Teen & Flees; Sheriff Currently Hunting For Suspect (Iowa)
Another horrible crash has led to the death of an Amish teen in southern Iowa. And the person apparently responsible for the death decided to run.
This incident, which happened early yesterday evening in Clarke County, Iowa, was reported at KJAN, a local radio station:
(Clarke County, IA) [updated with suspect vehicle information] – A horse-drawn buggy operated by a teenager, was struck by an unknown vehicle south of Murray Wednesday evening.
The Iowa State Patrol says 16-year-old Elmer Borntrager, of Murray, died at the scene. The accident happened at around 5:50-p.m., as the buggy was traveling north on Clarke County Road R-15, just south of Forest Street.
When the buggy was struck by the unknown northbound vehicle, it veered off the road and into the ditch. Elmer Borntrager was ejected from the buggy and died from his injuries. The vehicle fled the scene.
Here’s who they’re looking for (emphasis added):
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office reports the suspect vehicle was a silver or gray Chevy or GM sedan. The vehicle will have front, right-side damage, and potential damage to the windshield and/or roof of the vehicle.
If you have any information related to the incident, please call the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office at 641-342-2914.
The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office has also released a statement on their Facebook page, but with fewer identifying details:
Oddly, they don’t even identify it being a buggy that was hit. In fact going by this, it sounds like the victim was struck directly by the vehicle. I’m really not sure why they’re being so vague about that part, especially since that detail might be relevant to the search.
For example, the driver might have told someone he/she specifically hit an Amish buggy (people talk about these things after the fact). Or, perhaps the vehicle in question has damage suggestive of hitting a buggy (black paint marks or other material consistent with a buggy).
Those two scenarios might not be likely, but possible nonetheless. In any case the incident is identified as a buggy being struck by a car in the Iowa State Patrol report.
Regardless, let’s hope they swiftly find this person. As in other hit-and-run incidents with Amish buggies, I suspect they will. Clarke County has a long-established Amish presence, with nearly 300 Amish residents around the town of Murray.
Above all condolences and prayers to this young man’s family. Just an unthinkable thing to experience.
Iowa Crash Suspect Flees
Sickening. I have no other words . . . Prayers for the Amish teen, his family and community.
Reply
No prayers needed for the teen he died sadly but hopefully he is in oasis with all the other Amish who hopefully went there that have died recently because of people making poor decisions.
Surrender
This breaks my heart. In the Amish community where I live, many have family in Murray — I’ve been there more times than I can count. Years ago that settlement was bustling, then it dwindled to just a handful of families. I was there when the community began to grow again, and it’s been beautiful to see its quiet resurgence.
As the Amish believe, that young man is now at peace in heaven — a far better place than this cold and troubled world. Death, to them, is not something to be feared but a part of God’s plan, accepted with a calm surrender to His will — what they call Gelassenheit.
Their focus is always on a life well-lived in obedience to God and the Ordnung.
“He who today is vigorous and ruddy
May tomorrow—or sooner—have passed away.”
Prayers for the Borntregar family – I can’t begin to comprehend what they are going through. I have a sixteen-year-old son too.
Driver Kills Amish Teen, Flees
If the sheriff’s office know the make, model and even color of the motor vehicle involved, then I suspect it won’t be long before they find the owner and make an arrest. Awfully hard trying to hide damage such as that when you live in the countryside. I agree with Haley: Death is just a part of God’s whole plan. Nothing to be fearful of. Besides, there’s nothing any civil authority on this Earth can do that can possibly compare to what God has planned for the driver who fled.
Respect for other’s safety .
Hard to believe the indifference afforded others by individuals who are totally selfish ! The Amish are very decent , law abiding Christians and their life style of choosing a simpler way of living should be honored by all , especially being careful around their historical mode of transportation. Horses can be “ spooked “ by loud noises such as a modern vehicle’s horn blasting . Pax Christi ! Vivat Jesus ! K of C Fourth Degree , Council # 9937 , Tecumseh , Mi. .
Buggy driver
I’ve driven horses countless miles on all types of roads in complete daylight. Flashing light, orange triangle, and lime green vest. Still had close calls, and once avoided a car by going into the ditch. This is a dangerous way to travel. After training some 200 horses of all breeds, I just gave it up. No amount of money or satisfaction or enjoyment was going to make it worthwhile if I ended up like this poor lad. I’ll say this is now true of bicycles as well. A one ton plus car and a human should never meet. Pickups can weigh close to 4 tons. Whatever hit this buggy and under what circumstances will be learned. None of that will change the outcome. We all mourn the passing of a man so young, with so much to look forward to. May his family somehow find peace after this tragic loss.