State police may issue traffic citations to the 19-year-old at the reins of a horse-drawn buggy that crashed into an ambulance early today in Indiana County.

Trooper John Matchik said Henry Byler, of Smicksburg, had picked up a woman from a wedding and was headed home on Pollock Road in East Mahoning Township. At around 2:40 a.m., the horse abruptly turned in front of an ambulance heading the opposite direction.

The ambulance struck the horse with such force that the animal hit the windshield. The horse sustained serious injuries and had to be put down at the scene.

Mr. Byler, his passenger, and the ambulance driver, 60-year-old Fred Catchpole of Clymer, escaped unhurt.

Trooper Matchik said state police believe Mr. Byler either fell asleep or became distracted and never attempted to stop the horse from turning in front of the ambulance.

"There's a strong possibility he will face applicable vehicle code violations," Trooper Matchik said, adding that drivers of "animatronic" vehicles have many of the same responsibilities as car driver.

First Published: January 4, 2012, 1:30 p.m.