An 11-year-old boy from the Amish community in Michigan has sustained severe injuries following a collision between his horse-drawn buggy and an SUV. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, in Beaverton Township, located in the lower Peninsula of the state.
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According to the Gladwin County Sheriff’s Office, the young boy was pulling out of a driveway onto McCulloch Road when the buggy was struck by a Buick Enclave, driven by a 79-year-old woman. Reports indicate that the child did not see the oncoming vehicle due to overgrown vegetation obstructing his view at the end of the driveway. The Sheriff’s Office noted that this lack of visibility likely contributed to the collision.
Images released by the authorities depict the aftermath of the crash. The horse-drawn buggy was severely damaged, with its wheels missing and the vehicle overturned on its side. The SUV’s front end was also significantly damaged, its windscreen reportedly shattered as a result of the impact.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene. The boy, who is believed to be part of the local Amish community, was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Midland, approximately 30 miles from the crash site. His injuries have been described as serious, while the driver of the SUV was transported to a nearby hospital in Gladwin with non-life-threatening injuries.
Tragically, the horse involved in the incident did not survive. Authorities have not clarified whether the horse was killed in the collision or subsequently euthanised due to its injuries. This has raised concerns within the local community regarding the safety of horse-drawn vehicles on the roads.
In the wake of this incident, it is worth noting the ongoing issues regarding accidents involving Amish buggies. Previous reports highlight that 2025 was a particularly hazardous year for vehicle-buggy encounters in Michigan, with four fatal collisions and several serious injuries documented. Unfortunately, no national database exists specifically tracking such accidents, making it difficult to ascertain the full scale of the issue.
Amish buggies are classified as slow-moving vehicles, typically travelling at speeds under 25 miles per hour. The Michigan State Police have emphasised the need for motorists to exercise caution when approaching these vehicles, advising drivers to slow down for any vehicle displaying the reflective orange and red slow-moving vehicle (SMV) triangle sign. Passing these vehicles is discouraged unless the road is clear of oncoming traffic, thus prioritising safety for all road users.
Local authorities, including Beaverton Fire and Rescue and MyMichigan Ambulance Service, were also involved in the response to the crash, reflecting the serious nature of the incident. The community is now faced with the aftereffects of this tragic event, raising questions about road safety and the visibility of horse-drawn vehicles in rural areas.
As the investigations continue, there is a collective hope that this incident will serve as a reminder to both the public and drivers to remain vigilant, especially in areas where horse-drawn buggies are known to operate. The implications of this accident will likely resonate throughout the community, prompting discussions about the need for improved visibility and understanding of the challenges faced by the Amish community.