JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. — An 18-year-old was killed after a van struck the horse-drawn buggy she was riding in in Jefferson County, Illinois.
According to Jefferson Co. Sheriff Jeff Bullard, the crash happened on Log Cabin Lane at Goshen Road at about 4:50 Monday evening. Police said a van struck a horse-drawn buggy from behind.
“You have an automatic concern while you’re getting to the scene as quickly as possible for the people on those specialty vehicles because there’s a fear that someone is going to be hurt or worse," Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard said.
Police said three people were inside the buggy at the time of the crash. One of the passengers, 18-year-old Elma Mast, was pronounced dead soon after arriving at an area hospital. The other two were flown to a hospital in St. Louis for treatment.
Other family members of the people inside the buggy arrived on the scene to help recover the buggy and the horse, which was also injured in the crash.
In the aftermath of the crash, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office chaplain has been meeting with deputies who responded to the scene.
“That’s something that first responders have to process," Sheriff Bullard said. "It’s a continuing challenge.”
Illinois law doesn’t require buggies to be fitted with seatbelts.
"Being struck behind, it's an impact from a large vehicle, I don't believe a seatbelt would've made a difference in the outcome," Sheriff Bullard said.
The driver of the van and her passenger were not injured in the crash. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash.