Ohio driver in pickup truck injures 5 people in Amish buggy

HADLEY, Pa. — Police said a pickup truck driven by an Ohio woman slammed into an Amish buggy in Mercer County, injuring five members of a family.

The Pennsylvania State Police said the eastbound Toyota pickup truck driven by 38-year-old Jennifer Crenshaw of Geneva, Ohio, crossed into the opposite lane on state Route 358 and sheared off a utility pole around 6:50 p.m. Saturday.

The pickup then rolled once before hitting the buggy. Everyone in the buggy was ejected.

Police said 29-year-old Benjamin Kempf, the father of the children, 5-year-old Erma Kempf and 1-year-old Miriam Kempf, suffered major injuries.

Six-year-old David Kempf and 4-year-old Melvin Kempf suffered moderate injuries.

Crenshaw has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, five counts of aggravated assault while driving under the influence, and numerous other traffic offenses.

She suffered minor injuries, was treated at UPMC Greenville and released.

Benjamin and Melvin were flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Youngstown. Benjamin was in critical condition Sunday evening. Melvin’s status was not available.

The three other children were taken to UMPC Greenville and then to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Late Sunday, Erma was in critical but stable condition, Miriam was in fair condition, and David was in good condition.

Another Amish man, Erven A. Byler, 22, of Heartstown, was injured when a hit-and-run driver struck his horse-drawn buggy from behind early Monday, also on state Route 358.

The horses in both accidents were killed.