Farwell Man Injured in Collision with Unoccupied Amish Horse and Buggy

Clare County Sheriff Dept Release

On November 15, at approximately 19:25hrs (7:25 p.m.), Clare Central Dispatch Center received several calls regarding a traffic crash that occurred on S Clare Ave and Dover Rd in Grant Township.  The crash was reported to involve an Amish horse and buggy and a single motor vehicle.

Responding Clare County Sheriff Deputies learned that 66yr old, Richard Rodabaugh of Farwell, and passenger were traveling south on Clare Ave north of Dover Rd, in a 2005 Ford F-150 and had a collision with a horse and buggy that was heading north in the roadway.  Deputies learned that buggy was unoccupied at the time of the crash.  During the investigation, Deputies were able to locate and speak to the horse and buggy owner, 50yr old Andrew Hochstetler of Clare and learned that the horse had gotten loose from an address on Eberhart Ave not far from the crash scene.

Richard was treated for injuries on scene by responding MMR units and subsequently transported to the Clare Airport and flown by AeroMed helicopter to Corewell Health (Butterworth) in Grand Rapids due to the extent of his injuries. The buggy was found to be unoccupied, and no other persons were reported injured, however, the horse was found deceased as result of the crash.

As of Nov. 18, Rodabaugh was reported to be in stable condition.  The owner of the horse was cited under Michigan law by the Clare County Sheriff’s Office for animals running at large. 

Assisting Agencies included MMR, AeroMed, Clare Fire/Rescue, Michigan DNR, and the Clare County Road Commission.