Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Charges Pending In Friday Crash
VIDEO: Amish Buggy Hit By Truck
According to official reports, charges are pending in connection with a Friday crash that sent six Amish residents to the hospital.
The crash was reported shortly before 2:00 Friday afternoon on North Locust Avenue. Driver Adam Wayne Riddle, 26, of Lawrenceburg, was stopped in the outside northbound lane at the Weakley Creek Road traffic signal when he allowed driver Lawrence V. Adams, 17, of Ethridge, to pull in front of him from Ellingson Street.
While they were still stopped, witnesses reported Riddle rear-ended Adams’ 2006 GMC truck. Adams continued to apply his brakes and witnesses said Riddle’s 1997 Chevrolet truck sat still with its tires spinning. Witnesses reported it appeared Riddle was having some sort of seizure.
In the wake of the initial impact, Adams quickly pulled his truck into a nearby parking lot. Unhindered, Riddle’s truck then traveled across the roadway and sideswiped a 1994 Ford truck driven by Hohenwald resident Brant Lee Chessor, 36. Riddle then returned to his lane of travel where witnesses reported he rear-ended an Amish buggy driven by Ethridge resident Susie Ann Gingerich, 41, who was pregnant.
The buggy, occupied by six individuals, was reportedly pushed several feet before it flipped onto its side. It was then pushed approximately ten feet further before both vehicles came to a stop.
When Lawrenceburg Police Officers arrived on the scene they report Riddle was unconscious inside his truck. He allegedly admitted he had taken “Sombaxan and various other narcotics” prior to the accident. Riddle was transported to Crockett Hospital for a blood test. Reports indicate charges will likely be filed against Riddle, pending the outcome of the blood tests.
All six buggy occupants were transported by ambulance to Crockett Hospital for medical attention. The driver, Susie Gingerich, was transported along with passengers Mattie N. Gingerich, 41, Emma Gingerich, 15, Noah Gingerich, 3, Mary Gingerich, 3, and Johnathan Gingerich, 19 months.
The horse, who sustained only minor injuries, was transported back to his owner’s home by Georgia resident Rodney Simmons.
.
