MARSHALL COUNTY — The founder of Rentown Country Stores, Leroy Hochstetler, 80, Bremen, died from injuries sustained in an accident at 4:09 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, on 3B Road east of Beech Road, southwest of Nappanee.

Marshall County Police report Marion Otto, 18, Bremen, was westbound on 3B Road east of Beech Road and was looking in the center console of his truck and failed to see a horse-and-buggy driven by Hochstetler, also westbound, ahead of him. Otto told police he hit something and looked up seeing the glare from the sun. Once he stopped his vehicle, noticed he had struck the horse-and-buggy.

Hochstetler, the only occupant of the buggy, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the collision. Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by the Bremen Police Department, Bremen Fire, Lutheran EMS and the Marshall County Coroner’s Office.