Crash injures Amish buggy occupants

Thursday, September 02, 2010

By Josh Echt

A two-vehicle crash injured six occupants of an Amish buggy and two occupants of a vehicle in Parkman Township Wednesday night.

At about 6:20 p.m., troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Chardon post responded to a crash involving a 2005 Jeep Cherokee and an Amish buggy on state Route 88 in Parkman, according to a highway patrol dispatcher.

The Jeep, driven by Warren resident Julie M. Pirtz, 31, was traveling eastbound on Route 88 when it rear-ended the Amish buggy, also traveling eastbound. The buggy was driven by Christopher Kauffman, 30, of Parkman, according to an OHP press release.

Christopher Kauffman was not injured, according to Parkman Fire Department EMS Officer Joan Dillon.

But the crash caused severe damage to the buggy and injuries to Kauffman’s six passengers: Mary Ann Kauffman, Raymond Kauffman, Melinda C. Kauffman, Barbara Kauffman, Ada Kauffman and Betty Kauffman.

Barbara Kauffman, the children’s mother, was taken by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. A hospital spokeswoman said Barbara Kauffman was in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon.

Both Pirtz and her passenger, Jolie Pirtz, were taken to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Claridon Township, where they were treated and released for minor injuries, according to University Hospitals spokesman Mike Ferrari.

Ferrari added Mary Ann, Raymond and Melinda Kauffman were treated and released from Geauga Medical Center as well.

Ada and Betty Kauffman were in stable condition at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland as of Thursday afternoon, Ferrari said.

Ada and Betty Kauffman were airlifted to Rainbow, according to Dillon.

Parkman Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Dillon, Joan Dillon’s husband, said there were “a lot of people scattered around” the scene when Parkman Fire Department arrived.

“Everyone was out of the buggy when we showed up,” Chuck Dillon said.

Police cited Pirtz for assured clear distance ahead and operating a vehicle under the influence. It is suspected drugs played a factor in the crash, according to the OHP press release.

The crash remains under investigation.

The OHP dispatcher said Pirtz was traveling 50 miles per hour at the time of the crash, which occurred under clear conditions. She also said all occupants had their safety belts on at the time of the crash.

Chuck Dillon said the buggy’s horse was injured.

“They walked the horse a few hundred yards up the road and put it in a barn. But it was gone when I got here," he added. "From what I heard, the horse was beat. The horse took a big hit, but it was alive at that point.”

According to both Joan Dillon and local news reports, Barbara Kauffman had a baby after the crash.

The MetroHealth spokeswoman confirmed Barbara Kauffman gave birth to a baby boy, but the baby’s condition and time of birth were unavailable as of Thursday afternoon.