Mary Ruth Stoltzfus dies in fatal Lancaster County horse-and-buggy crash

Mary Ruth Stoltzfus dies in fatal Lancaster County horse-and-buggy crash

Fatal Lancaster County horse-and-buggy crash death of Mary Ruth Stoltzfus – Obituary

Mary Ruth Stoltzfus, 65, of Paradise, Pennsylvania, was killed when her horse and buggy were struck by a vehicle in Lancaster County on Wednesday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. near 4976 Strasburg Road, when a Dodge Caravan driven by 33-year-old Danial Miller of Mertztown collided with the back of Stoltzfus’ buggy. The impact detached the buggy from the horse and ejected Stoltzfus, who was found unresponsive in the roadway. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. The horse was lodged beneath the minivan, and the vehicle had come to a stop about 500 feet away.

Police said Miller showed signs of impairment, failed field sobriety tests, and refused to submit to blood or breath tests. A search warrant allowed authorities to obtain a blood sample, which later confirmed he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash. Miller was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide while DUI and four additional DUI-related offenses. He remains in Lancaster County Prison after being unable to post $125,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing for Miller is scheduled for January 14 before Magisterial District Judge Raymond Sheller.