TOWN OF DARLINGTON – An Amish buggy carrying a family of seven was struck from behind on Sunday, July 16 on State Highway 81, injuring all seven members.
Elam Stoltzfus, 36, Susie Stoltzfus, 34 and their five children, all of Argyle, were traveling east on State Highway 81 in the Town of Darlington when Richard Larson, 79 of South Wayne, hit the back end of their buggy with his pickup truck. The horse and buggy were pushed into the ditch and all occupants were ejected.
All seven members of the Stoltzfus family were transported to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County by Rural Medical Ambulance with injuries ranging from very severe to very minor. Two patients were later flown to UW Hospital in Madison by Air Care of Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa and React of Rockford, Ill.
Larson was checked out at the scene by Argyle EMS and declined transport.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Argyle EMS, Lafayette County Highway Department, Center Hill Veterinary Service and several very helpful citizens assisted Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputies, Darlington Police Department, Darlington Fire Department and Rural Medical Ambulance Service at the scene.