Two Amish Children Killed After Driver Falls Asleep At The Wheel & Hits Buggy (Pennsylvania)
Two Amish children, ages seven and nine, are dead in central Pennsylvania after a Sunday night rear-end crash. The 39-year-old driver told police that “believes he fell asleep” while driving.
The location is Northumberland County, PA, where there is an Amish community of around 600 in the vicinity of Dornsife. More from PennLive:
The crash happened around 8 p.m. in Jackson Township in the 4000 block of State Route 225.
The horse and buggy were traveling south on the road when a Mini Cooper going the same direction crashed into the rear of the buggy. The driver, John M. Koperna Jr., 39, of Pottsville, told police he thought he fell asleep at the wheel.
The accident sounds awful:
All six people in the buggy were thrown onto various spots on the highway, shoulder and an embankment. They were all from Dornsife.
A seven-year-old girl was pronounced dead on scene and a nine-year-old boy was pronounced dead at Geisinger Medical Center. The four other occupants were also taken to the hospital, one with minor injuries and others with serious injuries.
As for the other occupants, other sources report the following:
Three other occupants of the buggy, including Ervan Snook, 34, Leah Zook, 29, and a 3-year-old boy were seriously injured and taken to Geisinger Medical Center.
Another male child, age unknown, sustained minor injuries, according to police.
The horse was killed. Koperna was believed to have minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
8 PM seems like a strange time to have someone falling asleep at the wheel, but I suppose it can happen at any time of day.
We went through a period with few reported buggy wrecks, but sadly this is just one of several being reported on today, including in Indiana and Virginia.
Prayers for the recovery and healing of the Zook family, as well as for the driver Koperna, who I believe the Amish community would also wish to comfort at this time.
PA Buggy-Car Crash
A Mini Cooper?? Wonder what his speed was in such a small car, though I know the company makes several different models. He “thinks” he fell asleep?? Is it just me or does that sound a bit suspect?? Prayers for all involved . . . Thank you Erik.