Shipshewana, Indiana (December 3, 2025) — A devastating afternoon crash on U.S. Route 20 in LaGrange County claimed the lives of Marvin Shrock, 75, and his wife, Ruby Shrock, 74, after the Amish buggy they were traveling in was struck by a dump truck, according to the Indiana State Police. The collision has deeply affected the Shipshewana community, where horse-drawn buggies regularly share the roadway with motor vehicles.
Incident Details: The crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday on U.S. 20 near County Road 1000 West. Indiana State Police reported that Marvin and Ruby Shrock, both residents of Shipshewana, were traveling eastbound in a horse-drawn buggy along the shoulder of the highway.
For reasons that remain unclear, a 2019 Ford F-550 dump truck traveling in the same direction drifted onto the shoulder and struck the buggy. The truck was driven by a 20-year-old man from Sturgis, Michigan, authorities said.
The impact proved fatal. Both Marvin and Ruby Shrock were pronounced dead at the scene. Their families were notified shortly after the crash. Investigators stated that drugs and alcohol are not suspected to have played a role in the collision.
Investigation: The Indiana State Police Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation into the fatal crash. In collisions involving motor vehicles and horse-drawn buggies, investigators typically focus on lane positioning, driver attentiveness, and whether the motorist maintained proper control and awareness of slower-moving traffic along the roadway shoulder.
Investigators are expected to closely examine why the dump truck drifted onto the shoulder, including whether distraction, fatigue, mechanical issues, or momentary inattention may have contributed. Physical evidence such as tire marks, impact damage, debris distribution, and the final resting positions of the buggy and truck will be analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Authorities will likely assess visibility and roadway factors like sightlines, shoulder width, and speed, as buggies are vulnerable on high-speed roads despite safety features. They will also analyze afternoon conditions and dump truck data for speed and steering to determine why the truck left its lane and struck the buggy on the shoulder.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving Amish buggies and motor vehicles often lead to fatalities because buggy occupants lack protection. Legally, liability usually depends on whether the driver was reasonably careful, kept lane discipline, and was attentive, especially in areas used by horse-drawn vehicles.
Negligence can occur even without impairment, such as by drifting out of a lane, failing to account for shoulder traffic, or failing to adjust to shared-use corridors. Commercial vehicle cases, such as those involving dump trucks, also consider driver training, employer oversight, and safety compliance.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the Shrock’s surviving loved ones may consider pursuing wrongful death claims to address funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the profound emotional and financial impact left behind.
I extend my sincere condolences to the Shrock family and the Shipshewana community as they mourn this tragic and heartbreaking loss.
Source: ABC57 News