Car Smashes into Amish Buggy

[jazz lady]

At 7:33 a.m. Aug. 16, Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Trinity Church Road near Old Farm Place in Charlotte Hall for the report of a motor vehicle crash.

Investigation revealed a 2004 Honda Civic traveling north on Trinity Curch Road struck the rear of a northbound Amish buggy.

The operator of the buggy, Joseph Hertzler, 30, of Charlotte Hall, was ejected and struck the windshield of the Civic before falling to the pavement.

Hertzler sustained non-life-threatening but incapacitating injuries and was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George’s Hospital Center in serious condition.

The driver of the Civic, Lillian Komar, 62, of Charlotte Hall, was not injured.

She was issued a traffic citation for failing to control speed to avoid a collision.

The horse was injured and a family member walked it back to their farm. The buggy was destroyed on impact.

Not again!

It's amazing the buggy driver even survived the crash.

 

[chernmax]

Aside from the traffic citation, they should have let the horse kick her in the face...

 

[Elle]

Most of the roads they use to travel on are very narrow with little or no shoulders. People in cars use these roads as shortcuts and tend to do over the speed limit. But honestly even doing 40 (common speed limit) on a windy/hilly road you wouldn't have time to slow or stop once you saw them if there were another oncoming vehicle.

 

[BuddyLee]

Must be hard for the Amish to not hold folks like these in contempt.

 

[mrweb]

Most of the roads they use to travel on are very narrow with little or no shoulders. People in cars use these roads as shortcuts and tend to do over the speed limit. But honestly even doing 40 (common speed limit) on a windy/hilly road you wouldn't have time to slow or stop once you saw them if there were another oncoming vehicle.

Then I would suggest going 25 if you can't control your car on a road not designed for speeds of around 40. The common speed limit is one that you use to avoid running into someone or something..."Honestly officer, I was going the common speed limit, I don't understand why I hit the buggy."

Try to use your common sense instead of whatever you consider the common speed limit, then perhaps one buggy would not be smashed, one horse not injured and one working guy not disabled.

 

[bresamil]

I slow down to a crawl behind them until I can see the way is definitely clear. I also block the people behind me from passing when I can. If they do barrel past me and the buggy and nearly collide with another car I call the cops and turn them in for reckless driving. I use Rt 236 almost daily. There are always buggies on the road and I will have to slow down at least once. I plan accordingly. If I'm in a huge rush I don't use that road.

I have rarely seen one on Trinity Church but that's a dangerous road anyway. Too many blind curves and hills.

 

[PrchJrkr]

Then I would suggest going 25 if you can't control your car on a road not designed for speeds of around 40. The common speed limit is one that you use to avoid running into someone or something..."Honestly officer, I was going the common speed limit, I don't understand why I hit the buggy."

Try to use your common sense instead of whatever you consider the common speed limit, then perhaps one buggy would not be smashed, one horse not injured and one working guy not disabled.

I live on the outskirts of Loveville. I've learned where the blind curves and hills prevent the ability to see ahead and adjust my speed DOWN accordingly. This goes for any of the roads I've encountered buggy traffic on in SOMD. I'm constantly being tail gated by buzz bombs and soccer moms in SUVs when I do the posted limit, but I've been accident and ticket free for years.

 

[Elle]

Then I would suggest going 25 if you can't control your car on a road not designed for speeds of around 40. The common speed limit is one that you use to avoid running into someone or something..."Honestly officer, I was going the common speed limit, I don't understand why I hit the buggy."

Try to use your common sense instead of whatever you consider the common speed limit, then perhaps one buggy would not be smashed, one horse not injured and one working guy not disabled.

I was just making a statement not sharing a personal experience

 

[LordStanley]

Im glad to see that Joseph Hertzler was not killed, and hopefully he can make a full recovery. Oh and the horse too.

Lillian Komar needs more than just a traffic ticket. She should be forced to replace the buggy, and do some hard Amish labor on Joseph's farm.

 

[bcp]

all I have to say is that those buggies can go much faster than they do.

I like to pass slowley by them, and as I get right up next to the horse I hit the air horn.
If you dont think them buggies can move along at 50 mph with the little amish guy swearing at you try this once.

 

[mrweb]

Then I would suggest going 25 if you can't control your car on a road not designed for speeds of around 40. The common speed limit is one that you use to avoid running into someone or something..."Honestly officer, I was going the common speed limit, I don't understand why I hit the buggy."

Try to use your common sense instead of whatever you consider the common speed limit, then perhaps one buggy would not be smashed, one horse not injured and one working guy not disabled.

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY id=collapseobj_usercp_reputation><TR><TD class=alt2 noWrap>08-19-2006 01:09 AM</TD><TD class=alt1 width="50%">Het Jack@ss maybe the speed limit was 40. Try using common sence before you post. Duh!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Be more than happy to sport, just as soon as I figure out what "sence" is.

 

[LordStanley]

all I have to say is that those buggies can go much faster than they do.

I like to pass slowley by them, and as I get right up next to the horse I hit the air horn.
If you dont think them buggies can move along at 50 mph with the little amish guy swearing at you try this once.

Your not even right

 

[Kyle]

OK... I'll be the bastard that says it....

It's time for the Amish to join the rest of the world in, at least, the 20th century.

Get rid of the 1HP BS, buy a damn car, and stop being a traffic hazzard.

They certainly make enough exceptions from their religion when it suits them. i.e. tractors, phone booths, generators etc.

 

[Unbelievable]

It's time for the Amish to join the rest of the world in, at least, the 20th century.

Get rid of the 1HP BS, buy a damn car, and stop being a traffic hazzard.

They certainly make enough exceptions from their religion when it suits them. i.e. tractors, phone booths, generators etc.

Have to agree with you on this one, they also borrow cell phones when it's convenient. Many orders do drive and you see them visiting the St. Mary's families on a regular basis from Ohio and Pennsylvania. It's not impossible to still live simply and yet keep up with the times. My question is why do they accept rides in cars which, obviously, is a convenience but they can't own a car? How many of us consider owning a car a luxury any more? I do not intend to demean their religion in any way and appreciate the fact that they hold true to many of the old beliefs, but safety really is becoming an issue. Okay, I'm off the box now, thank you for listening (reading).

 

[buddy999]

Lillian Komar needs more than just a traffic ticket. She should be forced to replace the buggy, and do some hard Amish labor on Joseph's farm.

If she had to deal with Amish justice, that's probably exactly what punishment she would receive.

Many of the roads that the Amish use on a daily basis are marked with buggy signs. It seems appropiate that people driving on these roads would be more cautious and slow down regardless of what the speed limit may be.

 

[Unbelievable]

Have to agree with you on this one, they also borrow cell phones when it's convenient. Many orders do drive and you see them visiting the St. Mary's families on a regular basis from Ohio and Pennsylvania. It's not impossible to still live simply and yet keep up with the times. My question is why do they accept rides in cars which, obviously, is a convenience but they can't own a car? How many of us consider owning a car a luxury any more? I do not intend to demean their religion in any way and appreciate the fact that they hold true to many of the old beliefs, but safety really is becoming an issue. Okay, I'm off the box now, thank you for listening (reading).

Take your red karma and stick it up your a**:
Car Smashes into Amish ... 08-23-2006 08:38 AM You are a Huckleberry
What the he** is a huckleberry, you moron.

 

[birdman]

I live on a road that has many Amish farms (alot are actually my neighbors), I'm amazed at how irresponsible drivers are when they encounter buggies on these roads. Passing on blind corners, honking horns, spinning tires, giving very little room when they pass.... Whether you love them or not they are still people, they share the road, and they deserve some caution and courtesy from other drivers. Does everyone really hate them that much that it's worth putting them at risk to make a point? Why are they so hated (by some), I don't get it?

Additionally, they sort of lend a charm to the area, I personally think it's kind of cool. By having large farms they prevent the next developer from coming in and building 500 new homes across the street from me. You think buggies are annoying, wait til you have added traffic from new neighborhoods popping up everywhere.

 

[dck4shrt]

Have to agree with you on this one, they also borrow cell phones when it's convenient. Many orders do drive and you see them visiting the St. Mary's families on a regular basis from Ohio and Pennsylvania. It's not impossible to still live simply and yet keep up with the times. My question is why do they accept rides in cars which, obviously, is a convenience but they can't own a car? How many of us consider owning a car a luxury any more? I do not intend to demean their religion in any way and appreciate the fact that they hold true to many of the old beliefs, but safety really is becoming an issue. Okay, I'm off the box now, thank you for listening (reading).

Ever heard of the phrase "Share the Road"? There are laws specifying what types of vehicles can use the roads, and buggies are certainly allowed. If you think they should get off the road, then you should contact your elected representative and tell them to change the laws.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Take your red karma and stick it up your a**:
Car Smashes into Amish ... 08-23-2006 08:38 AM You are a Huckleberry
What the he** is a huckleberry, you moron.

Perhaps they meant to say dingleberry.

 

[PrchJrkr]

Perhaps they meant to say dingleberry.