CANTON, NY — Two people were killed when a pickup truck struck an Amish buggy from behind on County Route 25 in St. Lawrence County, and sheriff’s officials have now identified the victims as a 4-year-old boy and 78-year-old Margaret Wagler of Canton.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department said the crash happened during the afternoon of Sept. 13. Ten people were riding in the buggy at the time, and eight others were hurt and taken to area hospitals for treatment.
As of Sept. 23, two of those injured were still hospitalized. A 5-year-old girl was listed in stable condition, while a 35-year-old woman remained in critical condition.
Sheriff's department says buggy was traveling south when hit
Investigators said the buggy was traveling south when the pickup hit it from behind. The collision happened on County Route 25, a roadway in Canton that became the focus of a large emergency response after the crash.
Authorities have not released details about the truck driver or said what led up to the impact. The sheriff’s department has described the case as an active investigation.
The newly released information adds to what was initially known about the Sept. 13 wreck, including the number of people in the buggy and the seriousness of the injuries. Officials have not said whether speed, visibility or other factors may have played a role.
Ten people were in the buggy when the collision happened
Police said the buggy carried ten people at the time of the crash. That number underscores how many members of the group were exposed to the force of the impact when the truck came up from behind.
Two passengers died, and the other eight were taken to hospitals in the region. The sheriff’s department did not identify the injured passengers beyond the two people still receiving care as of Sept. 23.
The surviving victims included the 5-year-old girl in stable condition and the 35-year-old woman in critical condition. The condition of the other injured passengers was not provided in the update.
Victims identified as Canton child and 78-year-old woman
The victims who died were a 4-year-old boy and Margaret Wagler, 78, both from Canton. Their names were released as county officials provided a more complete accounting of the aftermath of the crash.
Police have not shared additional personal details about either victim. The identification confirms that the deadly wreck affected both a young child and an older adult within the same local community.
Because the crash involved an Amish buggy, the fatal injuries and hospitalizations drew in multiple responders across the area. Officials did not say whether the passengers were related or traveling together for a specific purpose.
Multiple fire and rescue crews aided the response
The sheriff’s department said it was assisted by a wide list of agencies at the scene and during the emergency response. Those included New York State Police, Canton Police Department, Canton Fire and Rescue, Colton Fire and Rescue, Parishville Fire and Rescue, the Pyrites Fire Department, Ogdensburg Rescue, Star Lake Fire and Rescue, and Potsdam Rescue.
The number of agencies involved reflects the severity of the crash and the need to move multiple injured people quickly to medical care. Officials did not describe any additional hazards at the scene, but the response covered law enforcement, fire and rescue, and transport crews.
The crash happened on a county road rather than a major highway, yet it still brought in several departments from across the region. That kind of mutual aid is often essential when a single incident leaves many people injured at once.
No charges filed as investigators continue reviewing the crash
As of the latest update, no charges had been filed. The sheriff’s department said the investigation remains underway, and officials have not announced a timeline for when they may reach a conclusion.
Police also have not said whether the pickup driver is facing any citations or whether the crash is expected to move into a criminal or traffic enforcement phase. For now, the case remains centered on determining how the collision occurred.
The most recent information from the sheriff’s office focuses on the victims’ identities, the injuries that remain, and the continuing investigation into the Sept. 13 crash. County officials have not released any further findings about responsibility.