Three Amish Siblings Killed In Pony Cart Crash
Horrible news from the Nappanee, Indiana Amish community. From WNDU:
MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – The Marshall County coroner says the three kids who were killed in a crash this morning involving a car and an Amish buggy were all siblings from Bremen.
They’ve been identified as 13-year-old Glenda Jo Yoder, 10-year-old Darrell Yoder and 9-year-old Devon Yoder.
The crash happened just after 8 a.m. near the intersection of Fir Road and 4th Road just south of Bremen.
Police say a Mercedes-Benz GLA was heading south on Fir when it hit the back of the buggy, causing three children who were in the buggy to be ejected. The coroner says they all died at the scene.
There are some other images including of Amish people, presumably family, gathered at the scene, but I’m not going to re-share those here. But it looks like this image shows the SUV involved:
The driver is described as being 17 years old. There is some discussion in these Facebook comments, but as always take that with a grain of salt.
If you know the general lay of the land in this area, it is pretty flat, with straight grid-like roads where you can usually see pretty far ahead (in other words, it mostly lacks the hills and curves of a community like Holmes County, Ohio).
It makes you wonder if speed or distraction were a factor here. Pony carts are common in this community as a way for younger Amish children to travel to school, which is what the Yoder siblings were doing.
Like full-sized buggies, pony carts should be marked insignia meant to create visibility – possibly with an orange flag as seen in this image below (from a different community).
However they’re definitely going to have a lower profile than a traditional Amish buggy. That said, this does not look like a visibility-impaired road. Here’s another images showing it from a different perspective:
Here’s more from WSBT with comments from an onlooker identified only as “Katie”:
A medical helicopter and an accident reconstructionist called to the scene.
All three children were pronounced dead on the scene.
“I could see the police lights and everything and saw it looked like an accident and In the back of my head I kind of knew that I hadn’t seen the Amish kids come down the road yet and go down the road onto to the school,” said Katie.
Katie said she saw the kids in the same cart almost every day. She adds there’s so many Amish in the area. She sees many pony carts or even kids riding their bikes either to school, or in general.
“They, you know the first ones that are furthest out start, and then they just pick each other up and ride together. So, I saw three of them sitting at the intersection of fifth and fir this morning waiting for their friends that were in the accident,” said Katie.
I imagine we will get more details on what precipitated this crash. I can’t imagine what the Yoder parents and family are experiencing now.
This just breaks my heart! Prayers for all.
Rich kid in a high end car, what 70K? Obviously driving too fast, or maybe on his phone too. No loss for him, Daddy’s insurance will fix the car and he will go on with his merry, wonderful, spoiled life, while he put three Amish kids in the ground. I don’t think for one second he will give them a second thought, or else he would not have hit them. Ya, I’m really angry, and the poor pony on top of it all. Disgusting kid, I hope Kharma comes back around to him big time!!
Teenagers do dumb stuff all the time. Especially males. This is going to haunt him for the rest of his life.
I agree 200% these entitled kids are nothing but selfish, self-centered egomaniacs. I’d put a wager that their parents are the same…
So sad
My condolences and prayers going to all their families. God bless you all!
Pony buggie accident
My deepest sympathy to family of children buggy accident. I am furious this must stop. A separate lane needed or don’t share the road with vehicles. The 17 year old teen driving hitting the buggy will definitely have this on his conscience for the rest of his life. Sounds like speeding or not paying attention ahead or fiddling with cell phone while driving. The only solution to solve these horrified accidents is not to share roads with cars or get permission to create a separate road along side. Otherwise each family having children or adults share the roads are taking a risk that is not worth it and suffer the consequences. Saddens me so much more should be done. Another solution no cars should be allowed on the roads on amish country. Government must take action and protests may be needed. to family and friends for pain and suffering this horrible accident has caused.
Condolences
My condolences to this family. This driver had to have been driving recklessly. I pray the authorities do the right thing & make this driver pay consequences for his actions. My
This is so heart breaking to lose three of your kids. I will pray for the family.
Driver Confirmed: 17 year old female
“Police say the two-wheel cart was hit from behind by a Mercedes driven by a 17-year-old female.”
Source: WVPE 88.1 4/10/2025 4:52 PM EDT
17 Year old female
Everyone wants to hang this girl, except for the Amish Parents. Maybe the sun was in her eyes. This is a life-changing event for all. May God Bless both Families.
17 Year old female
I believe that the same age to drive should apply to all drivers and that the Amish horses should all have reflectors on them. The horses are the first thing that pulls out before the buggy, and the last thing you see after the buggy. God Bless All
Too Often
This is happening way too often. This accident occurred about 20 minutes from me, and our roads are not hilly or curvy. I don’t understand how you cannot see a buggy, car, or whatever when your line of vision is not blocked. And the news rarely follows up with information that offers answers to how it happened. It’s just incredibly sad. I’m praying for all those affected.
Safety for Amish Kids
I think they should not be allowed to use pony carts.There are no seatbelts and that’s the law.So they also should.And I think they shouldnt beable to drive a horse drawn vechile till 16.Just like those who have to wait to drive a car.
Agreed
I think there must be an age on how old you can be To drive a cart might help my thoughts and prayers are with all effected in This horrible tragedy
disagree
The victims were NOT at fault and their age has nothing to do with it. The driver should be able to see anything that is in the road from enough distance to slow down
and go around it. IF they are paying attention to the road.
It IS always the fault of the auto
It’s always the fault of the car or truck. A buggy or cart doesn’t stand a chance against a motor vehicle.
It is heartbreaking to read about all these fatalities, especially of children. Prayers and great sympathy for the families.
Now some innovative solution must be found as this tragic loss of life is happening far too frequently.
Entitled rich kid
I hope the 17 years old female never forgets that she took 3 innocent lives.
The drivers that hit the buggies are unaware that buggies go much slower. Many times these driver are glued to their cellphones. No amount of defenceve placarding would cause the driver to be aware of the buggy or to avoid the buggy. The driver are uneducated about buggies. The buggies are not at fault.