MARION CENTER, Pa. — A horse pulling an Amish buggy had to be euthanized this morning after it was hit by an ambulance near here.

The accident happened about 2:40 a.m. in East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, state police said.

The drivers of the ambulance and the buggy were not injured, but the horse hit the windshield of the ambulance and was so badly injured it had to be destroyed, Trooper John Matchik said. Matchik said he did not know how the animal was put down or whether troopers were involved in that process.

Police believe the 19-year-old buggy driver had just picked up a young woman from a wedding and may have fallen asleep or otherwise been distracted, Matchik said.

That prompted the horse, acting on its instincts, to “turn abruptly” in the path of the ambulance, which was driving in the opposite direction on the road, Matchik said.

He said there’s no indication alcohol was involved in the crash. Matchik said it’s not clear whether anyone will be cited in the crash, which remained under investigation.