The man accused of crashing into an Amish buggy and killing three children will not face criminal charges, prosecutors have announced.
Ronald Ramsey, now 84, hit the buggy carrying four children between the ages of 6 and 13, on Sept. 18, 2019, on Vermontville Highway in Eaton County. Three children died at the scene.
The Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to press charges against Ramsey. The decision was made after talking with the children’s parents, a news release from the prosecutor’s office said.
“The decision to not charge Ronald Ramsey for the crash is not a statement about his criminal culpability, rather a decision that charging him would not be likely to result in any additional sanction or punishment,” the release said.
There was enough probable cause to charge Ramsey with three misdemeanor counts of moving violation causing death, which carries a maximum of one year in jail, two years of probation and the suspension of driving privileges for a year, the release said.
However, Ramsey’s age, lack of criminal history and the COVID-19 pandemic made it unlikely for him to be incarcerated if he was convicted.
“After a complete analysis of the case and possible consequences, the conclusion was reached that formal charging and conviction of Ramsey was not likely to accomplish more than a conviction on paper,” the release said. “The ends of justice would not be advanced by such a prosecution; therefore, the decision was made to close the case without formal charges.”
Ramsey had a hearing with the Secretary of State after the crash. His driving privileges were suspended for a year, and then followed by an indefinite suspension. If he wants to restore his license, he must pass a vision exam, written knowledge test and road test after the initial year-long suspension, the release said.
An investigation into the crash showed the Amish siblings were traveling home from school when Ramsey hit them from behind in a Chevrolet Equinox. The buggy was properly marked with a slow moving vehicle triangle and lights and one child was wearing a reflective safety vest as they steered the buggy down the correct side of the road.
Ramsey was driving 60 mph in a 55-mph zone and told investigators he did not see the buggy until the crash during a clear weather day, the release said.
