VENUS, Pa. (EYT) — State Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash involving a horse and buggy Tuesday night in the Venus area.

According to Marienville-based State Police, 18-year-old Mahlon Gingerich, of Fryburg, was driving his buggy east on Route 157 near Pine City Road around 9:30 p.m. when a Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by an unknown man struck the rear of the buggy, causing minor damage.

The driver of the pickup did not stop and fled the scene.

The horse began to run wild, and Gingrich steered the horse and buggy one-quarter mile along Route 157 before directing it into a ditch in a deliberate attempt to avoid a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.

Gingerich suffered minor injuries, but refused treatment from Shippenville-Elk Township Ambulance.

The horse was not injured. It was taken to a nearby farm. The buggy was disabled and removed from the scene.

Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department also assisted at the scene.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call State Police at 814-927-5253.