Amish Country Bakery Manager Killed By 3-Time DUI Driver
This is a sad – and maddening – story about a special employee of a bakery that we’ve covered here on the site before. Schlabach’s Bakery has been in business since 1970.
It’s located in the area of the “electric New Order” Amish community at Guthrie, Kentucky (Todd County). From what I’ve heard, it was Amish-founded, but is not currently Amish-owned (though it has stayed in the family).
Leaving that aside, the bakery is dealing with a major tragedy right now. The bakery’s manager, Rachel Hoover – who is Mennonite – was killed, along with a friend, when they were struck by a DUI driver. From News Channel 5 Nashville:
Hopkinsville police said Rachel Hoover, 34, was riding her bike with three others on Pembroke Road when a driver under the influence crashed into them. Hoover and her friend, Marlene Martin, 31, lost their lives in the incident.
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She was riding her bike with three others returning home from a shopping trip in Hopkinsville when they were struck by the driver.
“The girl from Pennsylvania who was visiting was hit first and then Rachel. Rachel’s sister, Lucy, who also works here, saw everything happen,” Schlabach said.
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Police have arrested Isaiah Edwards, 30, charging him with operating a motor vehicle under the influence. His third offense.
Rachel’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.
Not only did Rachel Hoover lose her life, but so did her friend visiting from New Holland, Pennsylvania – a young woman named Marlene Martin.
As far as the driver, Christian County Now reports:
The driver of the vehicle, identified as a 30-year-old Isaiah Edwards, admitted to law enforcement that he was distracted while driving.
Further investigation revealed Edwards displayed multiple signs of impairment during roadside sobriety testing administered by deputies and later admitted to smoking marijuana earlier that morning, according to CCSO. He was placed under arrest based on his performance during field sobriety and drug recognition evaluations.
The bakery has been hit hard not only by the loss of a beloved friend, but losing what sounds like the main person in charge of running things at the bakery.
“She was the manager,” Schlabach said.
Not having Hoover around is like trying to bake cookies without butter, according to those who worked with her.
“This morning we were doing oatmeal cookies,” Schlabach said.
It doesn’t come together the same way.
“Rachel added more flour, but we don’t know how much. We were trying to figure it out,” Schlabach said.
Owner James Schlabach added this about the personal loss:
“For the other girls, Rachel was more like a mom figure,” Schlabach said.
He’s holding on to the memories — like the time she accidentally made cookies too flat, and they turned into one of the bakery’s best-selling items.
“We discovered one of the ingredients. She put 3 cups instead of 3 pounds. I’m like you know what Rachel? Let’s put filling in between them and sell them,” Schlabach said.
James believes Rachel is in a heavenly kitchen now — where joy is always rising.
“She’s in heaven happy and singing,” Schlabach said.
There was a fundraiser, but it looks like it is no longer online, or has moved from the original link. There is also video report by Nashville News 5, but they only allow viewing it on YouTube (you can also find it at the linked article above).
In lieu of that, here is a visitor’s video on the bakery, dating to 2017.
AGAIN!!!! Another drunk driver.
AGAIN!!! Another repeat offender.
AGAIN!!!! Nothing ever changes. Drink and drive once, your license should be gone forever.
He never should have been allowed anywhere near a vehicle. And watch, tougher laws STILL will not be created.
Bakery Worker Killed
Erik,
Please contact me via my email address. Since you contacted me last week, I’ve not been getting “the Amish in my mailbox” these past 2-3 days and do not know why. Thanks. That said, I’m inclined to believe as J.O.B. does . . . that lives lost do not necessarily mean laws will be changed. But I’m also upset b/c we do not know who oversaw the first two cases involving Isaiah Edwards: why has he been given back his license TWICE?? Who is/were the judge(s)?? We can only hope that some how, some way, this man will not be driving anywhere, any time soon. Many thanks for this story.
Rachel Hoover
It makes me cry to see another individual and a friend was ran over by a DUI driver, and he smoked marijuana earlier in the morning.
We have had others in northern Indiana in Middlebury I remember that have been ran over by an automobile while on their bikes.
People drive to fast and use drugs.
Prayers of comfort to the Hoover and Martin families at this time.
Schlabach bakery
My husband and I live in Clarksville, the nearest TN city to Guthrie. We’ve been to many of the Amish and Mennonite businesses. My husband says he remembers Rachel. The folks at Schlabachs are friendly and make incredible baked goods. These kind folks are regarded as skilled artisans and they’re a positive influence on our community.
I hate that this has happened, that families are grieving because the law doesn’t protect the innocent properly. I pray for the peace that passes understanding and strength for all the families.
The driver, needs to go away for a long time. My sincerest condolences to the families.