Cumberland County residents fed up after another deadly crash involving horse-drawn buggy

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Another death in a crash involving a horse-drawn buggy in Cumberland County has community members fed up.

On Sunday, July 14, troopers with Virginia State Police say a Ford F250 pickup truck struck an Amish horse-drawn buggy from behind in the 2700 block of Cumberland Road.

The crash killed one girl and injured six others , with one of them still in critical condition. All seven people involved were riding in the buggy.

Cumberland County resident Bonnie Bernard said she’s seen her fair share of crashes like this one — and this all could have been avoided.

“It breaks my heart, as a mom, I can’t imagine,” Bernard said. “My heart would be shattered into a million pieces. These are kids — we’ve lost babies now, we’ve had parents lost last year. It doesn’t need to keep happening.”

Cumberland has seen multiple such crashes in recent years. In 2021, a 2005 Toyota Tundra struck a horse-drawn buggy on Route 45, killing two parents and injuring eight children . Ten people were riding in the buggy at the time it was struck.

More recently, in Richmond County, an SUV struck a horse-drawn buggy , injuring three people inside and killing the horse.

Bernard said police have done all they can to ensure safety on the roads and it’s up to community members to hold each other accountable.

“Slow down, put your phones down, be patient,” Bernard said. “You’re not going to get there any faster — slow down.”

The driver of the Ford pickup was not injured in the crash.

“Charges are pending following consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney,” state police said.

The crash remains under investigation. No other information is available at this time.

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