3 escape serious injury in buggy crash
Three brothers on their way to an auction in Ramsey escaped serious injury Saturday morning when their horse-drawn buggy was struck from behind by a car.
Officer Marty McClanahan of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Dept. said Amos Frey, 25, of Paoli had control of the reins of the one-horse-drawn carriage as he and his two brothers, Samuel Frey, 26, and Paul Frey, 23, both of Campbellsburg, were heading east on S.R. 64. They were going to the auction at Bowen’s Hardware, which is now closed since its owner, Burl Bowen, retired.
An eastbound Century Buick driven by Gloria D. Onstott, 60, of Marengo struck the buggy about 8:30 a.m. just east of Day Lane on Milltown’s north side. She and a witness who was traveling behind her told police that the rising sun had temporarily blinded them, preventing Onstott from seeing the black buggy.
Police estimated the buggy was traveling about 15 mph, while the car was going about 55 mph.
The three brothers were thrown from the buggy when it was struck. They landed in a grassy area between the eastbound shoulder of the road and the rocky ditch. McClanahan said the men were lucky to have landed where they did or their injuries might have been more severe.
Paul Frey had a cut to his mouth, while Amos and Samuel Frey had injuries to their legs. All three men were checked at the scene by EMTs from Harrison County Hospital, but they refused transport to the hospital.
The horse suffered cuts to its rear hind quarters. A veterinarian from McDonald’s in Hardinsburg was called to the scene. Once he arrived and checked the horse, he stitched up the cut. Friends of the Freys brought a horse trailer to take the horse back home.
Onstott, who was wearing her seat belt, was not injured in the crash, McClanahan said.
The buggy, which landed upside down in the ditch, was destroyed and was towed away.
McClanahan said this was the first horse-and-buggy crash he’s worked since becoming a police officer about 19 years ago.
Assisting at the scene besides HCH EMS were other Harrison County police officers, members of the Milltown Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Dept.
