Young Boy and Baby Among 7 People Injured After Car Crashes Into Family's Horse and Buggy


Seven members of a Mennonite family, including a 7-year-old boy and an infant, were injured on Sunday after a car crashed into their horse and buggy, sending them flying into a ditch, according to local reports.

The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. on East Sherman Hollow Road in Jerusalem, New York, just 50 miles southeast of Rochester, according to ABC affiliate WHAM-TV.

Authorities with the Yates County Sheriff's Office told the outlet that 24-year-old driver Justin Niver was driving in the westbound lane behind the buggy when he attempted to pass it.

As Niver entered the oncoming traffic lane toward the top of a hill, he saw another vehicle traveling in his direction, so he swerved back into the westbound lane, according to officials.

On Niver's way back into the lane, he smashed into the carriage, throwing the family of seven from their buggy and into a field ditch, the Yates County Sheriff's Office said.

Carriage driver Matthew Sensenig, 33, and his wife suffered head injuries from the crash, while their 7-year-old son sustained multiple critical injuries and their 7-month-old baby had internal injuries, according to WHAM-TV.

NBC affiliate WHEC-TV reported that four people were airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and three young boys were transported to the same hospital by ambulance.

The family's horse also sustained severe injuries and had to be euthanized at the scene by a local veterinarian, according to WHAM-TV.

On Sunday night, Sheriff Ron Spike told the outlet that four people in the hospital were stabilized and showing signs of improvement.

Meanwhile, Niver, of Penn Yan, New York, was not injured in the crash. Authorities determined he was not impaired while driving, but charges are currently pending against him, the outlet reported.

Those charges will be decided after authorities complete their investigation, Sheriff Spike told CNN.

At this time, it is unclear if Niver has retained legal representation. The Yates County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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