Copenhagen man charged in fatal buggy accident that killed Amish teenager

LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWNY) – A Copenhagen man who allegedly left the scene of a fatal buggy accident in July has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving.

State police arrested 41-year-old Jared Spaulding on Tuesday after a Lewis County grand jury indicted him in connection with the crash that killed an Amish teenager and injured four others.

He is accused of the following charges:

• 3 counts of aggravated DWI
• 3 counts of first degree involuntary manslaughter
• 1 count of second-degree manslaughter
• 3 counts of aggravated unlawful activity in the first degree
• 1 driver left the scene of the accident – injuries resulting in death
• 2 counts of third degree assault
• 4 counts of second-degree intentional endangerment

Spaulding was held in the county jail to await arraignment.

Spaulding is accused of crashing an SUV into a buggy on State Route 12 near Yancey Road in the town of Lowville on the evening of July 14.

He is said to have left the scene of the crime.

When state police arrived, they found a 17-year-old Amish boy dead near the wrecked stroller.

According to police, four other people, a 21-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman, an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy, were also injured.

According to police, all five were in the buggy and were ejected when they were struck by Spaulding’s vehicle.

Cops said Spaulding was later found at his home and charges are pending.

Copyright 2024 WWNY. All rights reserved.