by Kevin Smith
CAMDEN — The driver of a horse-drawn buggy was killed in a two-vehicle accident south of this Carroll County community Monday morning.
Sixty-four-year-old Steven Royer of rural Camden was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force trauma. He was thrown into a side ditch when a Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck slammed into his horse-drawn buggy.
Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy John Chapman said witnesses told police a pick-up truck ran over the back of the buggy, crushing it.
Chapman said the truck’s driver, 87-year-old John Justice of Logansport, told police that he did not see the buggy as they both drove on the southbound lane of Ind. 75, near 275W, between Camden and Flora.
Royer, a member of the Old Brethren German Baptist Community, and the horse that was pulling the buggy were found dead as emergency crews arrived on the scene. There were no other passengers.
Justice suffered a minor injury to the hand in the accident and has been released to family members, Chapman said. He added that no charges had been filed.
“Accident reconstruction crews were called in to assist, and all information has been forwarded to the Carroll County prosecutor for review,” Chapman said.
Ind. 75 remained closed to traffic until 2:30 p.m. Monday, almost three hours after the 9-1-1 call reporting the accident.
As emergency workers cleared the debris, only the wheels of the buggy were visible beneath the silver truck. The horse lay motionless on the pavement.
Kevin Smith can be contacted at (574) 732-5148 or via e-mail at kevin.smith@pharostribune.com
