A quiet afternoon in Gilford Township turned tragic Tuesday when a pickup truck ran a stop sign and collided with a van carrying members of the local Amish community. Six people were killed, and several others remain hospitalized.

Thirteen people were involved—ten in the van, three in the truck. The van, driven by a hired driver, was carrying Amish residents who often rely on paid transportation. The crash’s force ejected multiple passengers, leaving behind what officials described as one of the county’s most devastating accidents in years.

Undersheriff Robert Baxter said the loss has deeply shaken the community: “They’re local residents, and this has hit close to home.” Both Amish and non-Amish neighbors have rallied together, offering meals, donations, and prayers, while churches organize vigils and counseling support.

Investigators are working to determine why the pickup failed to stop. Clear weather ruled out poor visibility, but officials are considering distraction, mechanical failure, or human error.

For Tuscola County, where families are tightly connected, the tragedy is more than a statistic—it’s a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life on the road can be. Yet even in grief, the community is showing resilience, compassion, and unity in the face of loss.