Pony Cart Driven By 8-Year-Old Struck In Holmes County; 3 Children Seriously Injured, 1 Killed

From the Akron Beacon Journal:

RIPLEY TWP. — Four children were seriously hurt Wednesday after a collision between an Amish pony cart and a vehicle.

The crash occurred around 11:10 a.m. on County Road 329 at Township Road 524, according to a news release by Holmes County Sheriff Timothy Zimmerly.

Sheriff’s deputies say a 56-year-old Shreve man was westbound on County Road 329 in a 2007 Chevrolet pickup when he struck a pony cart that pulled into his lane from a private drive.

The operator of the pony cart was an 8-year-old Shreve girl, investigators said. She was transported from her residence by the Clinton Township Fire Department to Wooster Community Hospital and later flown to Akron Children’s Hospital with serious injuries.

There were three other passengers in the cart at the time; all were thrown upon impact.

The children are ages 7-10. The driver was not cited and alcohol was not a factor. The story notes that “under Ohio law, the 8-year-old girl was legally operating the cart on the roadway.”

Sadly, an update to this story informs us that the 7-year-old, Eli Troyer Jr., died this morning at Akron Children’s Hospital. The remaining children, all with last name Troyer, remain in serious condition.

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10 Comments

  1. Nancy

    Heartfelt Sympathies

    I am so sorry to hear of the accident. Innocent children on holidays, I can not even fathom what you must be going through.

  2. Mary

    Sympathy to the Troyer family

    I’m very saddened by this news. Such an awful to happen and accidents do happen. Prayers for the family for strength and understanding during this difficult time.

  3. Geo

    "Under Ohio law"

    This is so overwhelmingly sad and so infuriating. If that is Ohio law then Ohio lawmakers are malfeasant, irresponsible, incompetents. That Ohio law allows an 8 year old to drive a cart on trafficked roadways does not relieve anyone of responsibility. I sympathize with the parents loss. They have paid a terrible price.

    1. Pat Monti

      Totally Agree With You Geo

      Totally agree with you Geo!

    2. It’s common for Amish children in many states to operate pony carts. For the amount of buggy accidents we hear about, it seems to me it’s rare to come across one involving a pony cart. They happen, but the only one I can recall was an Amish adult driving a cart with his two sons in northern Indiana which was hit by a distracted driver, and all three were killed. That was in 2006.

      This may also reflect the relative low numbers of pony carts on the roads vs. buggies. You see children driving them on their home property, and in some cases do take them out on the road.

  4. Abbie

    Question about an old post

    We are wondering how Anne’s (?) son & his family are doing? He was the English man who became Amish & married an Amish woman. He & his family moved to Minnesota. This Amish community was very plain with no running water or indoor bathrooms. He developed several health problems & was having difficulty getting diagnosed. Anne, husband, & their daughter lived I think in Virginia.

    1. Yes – I haven’t heard from Anne in some time. I don’t know the current situation. If I hear more that I can share I’ll let you know.

  5. Lee Simmons

    Let’s not forget the driver – I’m sure he feels terrible about this. Prayers for all involved.

    1. I agree. It may very well be that he was at no fault in this.

  6. Amy Peck

    Prayers for the Troyer Family

    My heart felt prayers go out to the Troyer family. Losing a child and having injured ones is absolutely heartbreaking. May the grace of the Lord be with you during this terrible time. Also my prayers go out to the driver of the truck. May the Lord also be with you.