DARLINGTON - A child is dead following a pickup truck vs. buggy accident Sunday evening just outside of Darlington.

According to a press release from Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill, on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at 7:08 p.m., the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center was notified of a  truck vs buggy crash on Wis. 81, just east of Burke Road, in Darlington Township. Lafayette County Deputies, Darlington Police Department, Lafayette County EMS and Darlington Fire Department were all dispatched. UW Med Flight, Shullsburg EMS and Belmont EMS were later requested to assist at the scene.

The investigation of the crash revealed that an Amish enclosed-style buggy, pulled by a single horse and occupied by Steven M. Esch (27), Annie K. Esch (27) and their four minor children, all of rural Darlington, were traveling eastbound on Wis. 81. The buggy was struck from behind by a 2016 Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by Carson D. Lobdell, (22), also of rural Darlington.  

Several of the occupants of the buggy were ejected, suffering significant injuries. One of the minor children was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafayette County Coroner’s Office. The remaining occupants of the buggy were all transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County or Southwest Health Center in Platteville. Another minor child was flown from Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County to University Hospital in Madison by UW Med Flight.

The driver of the pickup truck, Carson Lobdell, was uninjured.

The horse pulling the buggy suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash, and was later located at a nearby farm. The buggy was demolished and the pickup truck sustained severe damage. Both units were towed from the scene.

Wis. 81 was closed and detoured for approximately three hours during the investigation of the crash.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Darlington Police Department, Darlington Fire Department, Lafayette County EMS, Shullsburg EMS, Belmont EMS, Lafayette County Highway Department, Lafayette County Coroner’s Office, and two helicopters from UW Med Flight.