Coal County Amish Buggy Crash Injures Seven Near Clarita
Distracted Teen Driver Rear-Ends Amish Buggy in Coal County, Injuring Seven
Seven members of an Amish family in Coal County were injured after the horse-drawn buggy they were riding in was rear-ended by a teenage driver on State Highway 48 near Clarita.
The Coal County Amish buggy crash happened just before 10 p.m. Sunday, about one mile north of Highway 31. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the 17-year-old driver of the car told troopers she was adjusting the vehicle’s air conditioning and did not see the buggy ahead of her.
All seven people riding in the buggy were thrown from it during the collision. The teenage driver was not injured.
Coal County Amish Buggy Crash Injures Entire Family
The buggy was traveling northbound on State Highway 48 near Clarita when it was struck from behind.
The occupants were identified in local reporting as Dewayne Shrock, his wife and their children, members of the local Amish community. Injuries ranged from moderate to critical, with several family members requiring hospitalization following the crash.
Local first responders later reported that several of the children were recovering following surgery, while the mother and two other children remained in more serious condition.
The crash highlights a road-safety issue familiar in parts of rural Oklahoma where motorists may share highways with horse-drawn vehicles, farm equipment and other slow-moving traffic.
Oklahoma driver guidance specifically warns motorists that animal-drawn vehicles have the same right to use public roads as motor vehicles and that occupants are especially vulnerable when struck by a car.
Drivers can find traffic-safety information through the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
OHP Says Driver Was Adjusting Air Conditioning Before Crash
According to OHP, the teenage driver said she was manually adjusting the vehicle’s thermostat or air conditioning controls immediately before the crash and failed to see the buggy.
That type of activity falls under the broader definition of distracted driving, which includes anything that takes a driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office specifically lists activities such as adjusting a radio or navigation system, eating, talking with passengers and using a phone among common driving distractions.
Oklahoma recorded 64 deaths in distracted-driving crashes in 2023, up from 50 the previous year, according to state highway safety officials.
More information about the risks and Oklahoma laws surrounding distracted driving is available through the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office distracted driving resource.
Crash Highlights Risks of Slow-Moving Vehicles on Rural Oklahoma Highways
Horse-drawn buggies travel at significantly lower speeds than normal highway traffic, making driver attention especially important on rural roads after dark.
The Oklahoma Driver Manual tells motorists to watch for animal-drawn vehicles and other slow-moving traffic in rural areas, particularly when approaching hills or areas where visibility may be limited. The manual notes that warning signs may be posted in communities where animal-drawn vehicles are common.
State officials also stress that distracted driving involves more than phones. Any action that takes a driver's eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or attention away from driving can increase crash risk.
Additional statewide information on speeding, distracted driving and other dangerous driving behaviors is available through the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office unsafe driving resources.
For the Shrock family and the Clarita community, Sunday's collision resulted in seven people injured from a single moment of distraction. The investigation serves as another reminder for drivers traveling Oklahoma's rural highways to remain alert for buggies, farm equipment and other slower vehicles that may be sharing the road.
Comments