JACKSON TOWNSHIP – A 31-year-old Polk man was killed after the Amish buggy he was driving was struck from behind in Ashland County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The operator of the Amish buggy, William E. Miller, 31, of Polk, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ram truck, Tyler R. Loughrie, 28, also of Polk, was not injured.
The incident took place on Monday, Sept. 9 at approximately 6:10 a.m.
The Patrol stated the Amish buggy was not equipped with a yellow flashing light at the time of the crash, but did have reflective tape and a lantern on the rear portion of the buggy.
According to the Patrol, a silver 2014 Ram 3500 truck was northbound on U.S. 42, south of County Road 700 in the right lane. The Ram truck approached an Amish Buggy which was also northbound in the right lane, and failed to maintain an assured clear distance ahead, striking the Amish Buggy from behind.
After the collision, the buggy and horse were pushed off of the right side of the roadway into a guardrail, and the operator of the buggy was ejected, the Patrol stated. The Ram truck came to a final rest in the roadway.
Loughrie was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash, the Patrol reported.
Assisting at the scene were: The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan and Polk Fire and EMS, and A&M Towing.
