Around 4:20 pm Saturday, an Amish woman and her daughter were killed when their horse drawn buggy was smashed by a tractor truck. William Byler, 35, from New Wilmington, Pa was driving their buggy when Matthew Coulter, 36, driving the truck hit the rear of the buggy along the Pulaski Mercer Road near Angel Road in Wilmington Mercer County.
Horse drawn buggies are a common means of transportation for Amish families who do not believe in automobiles. Although in acceptance of some modernization, Amish people can't own motorized vehicles but can hire drivers to transport them to longer distances that a horse and buggy can't do.
Byler's wife and his 11-year old daughter were the unfortunate casualties of the accident. Both were pronounced dead by the coroner of the Mercer County, Brad McGonigle, at the scene of the accident. Byler was rushed to Saint Elizabeth Health Center who suffered major injuries and remains in critical condition. The horse that was pulling the buggy was also severely injured during the crash, police officials had to decide on having the animal euthanized.
A resident near the crash site said that he heard a loud bang and as he rushed to the incident the buggy was unrecognizable with pieces scattered everywhere.
The truck driver, Coulter called 911 immediately after the accident happened. According to the Pennsylvania State Police investigations will run through accident reconstruction techniques to fully understand what happened. Reports have not also been made whether charges will be filed against Matthew Coulter.
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