Driver Of ATV Which Crashed Into Horse-Drawn Buggy Due In Sequatchie Sessions Court Next Week

Angie West, 37, To Be Arraigned Monday For “Using An Off-Road Vehicle On The Highway”

Thursday, March 1, 2018
Judy Frank

The driver of an ATV that authorities say rear-ended an Amish family’s buggy on Feb. 11 – sending six of the seven passengers in the horse-drawn vehicle to Erlanger Hospital – is scheduled to appear in Sequatchie County General Sessions Court on Monday at 9 a.m.

According to the office of Sequatchie’s circuit court clerk, the only charge that 37-year-old Angie N. West of Dunlap faces is using an off-road vehicle on the highway.

The accident occurred around 4:45 p.m.

on a wet, foggy afternoon, investigating officer Sgt. David Matthews of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in his official report on the crash.

Ms. West was driving too fast for conditions, Sgt. Matthews noted, and neither she nor her 15-year-old passenger was wearing a helmet.

The white 2004 ATV, owned by Marlin Lee Gossett Jr. of Dunlap, did not have a license plate or insurance, according to the THP report.

Sgt. Matthews said the Amish family’s buggy – which was equipped with both triangle reflectors and red battery-operated tail lights – was headed east on Fredonia Road, near Sullivan Loop Road. Its passengers included two women, one man and four children aged 6, 8, 10 and 12.

The ATV driven by Ms. West came up behind the buggy and failed to stop, crashing into the rear of the buggy, he noted.

Ms. West’s 15-year-old passenger was thrown over top of her, according to Sgt. Matthews’ report, and struck the back of the horse-drawn carriage.

That spooked the horse, he said, which took off down the road with its buggy-load of passengers.

After traveling approximately 100 yards, the buggy fell over and rolled down an embankment, he reported.

All four children and the two adult women riding in the buggy were taken by ambulance to Erlanger Hospital , he noted. Ms. West’s 15-year-old passenger also was transported to the hospital.

No information was available on whether the horse was injured.