Amish Family With Newborn In Buggy Involved In Crash

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP, Ohio - When the driver of an SUV slammed into the back of a buggy in Geauga County Wednesday night, the impact ejected a pregnant Amish woman and several of her young children.

Barbara Kauffman suffered severe head injuries and was life-flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center, where doctors were able to deliver her child.

On Friday, a MetroHealth spokesperson said Barbara Kauffman is still in critical condition, but doctors have indicated her newborn baby boy is improving and is now in fair condition.

Troopers with the Ohio Highway Patrol said the driver who hit the buggy allegedly had drugs in her system.

Julie Pirtz, 31, of Warren, whose own infant daughter was in her SUV at the time of the collision, has been cited for operating a vehicle while under the influence, and for failing to keep a safe distance between her vehicle and the buggy.

"Anytime anyone is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drug abuse, it's going to greatly diminish their fine motor skills and their ability to react, and their reactionary time, when they're operating a motor vehicle," OSP Sgt. George Biskup said. Meanwhile, Geauga County prosecutors say they plan to take the case to a grand jury and will seek additional charges against the driver of the SUV.

The criminal counts would reflect the injuries suffered by Barbara Kauffman and the other members of her family.

Troopers said the case illustrates the need for motorists to be cautious when they travel through Amish country.

"We encourage drivers, especially in the Amish communities, to slow down, be prepared for the unexpected basically, expect the unexpected," said Biskup.
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