PARKMAN, Ohio — A group of saddened Amish men gathered at the scene on Farmington Road near Parkman shortly after an 18-year-old Amish man driving a horse and cart was hit by a car and critically injured.

It happened about three p.m. Thursday.

“This area here is pretty hilly. Both vehicles were travelling in the same direction. The Amish buggy was right at the hillcrest and the car that struck the Amish buggy just didn’t see it in the hillcrest,” LT. Mark Neff, with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said.

Neff said the 18-year-old man was LifeFlighted to MetroHealth Medical Center with serious injuries.

His name has not been released.

What made this crash even more devastating is the 18-year-old driver was in a lightweight two-wheeled Amish cart, as opposed to the four-wheeled Amish buggy.

“As a result of the crash, the horse died,” Neff said.

The woman who was driving the PT Cruiser was not hurt.

Yellow traffic signs can be seen through this rural area bordering Trumbull County, warning drivers there are Amish buggies and horses.

“There’s a big Amish community… When you are travelling these back roads here, take your time. Always expect the unexpected. Reduce your speed, pay attention,” Neff said.

Neff said it does not appear drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.