A truck struck an escort vehicle accompanying a group of Buddhist monks on a cross-country peace walk and pushed it into them on U.S. 90 near Dayton on Nov. 13, injuring two monks, according to Dayton police.
Organizers said the Walk for Peace will continue as they coordinate with law enforcement and medical officials.
The Walk for Peace began on October 26, 2024, at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. Organizers said about two dozen monks joined the start of the pilgrimage, which aims to promote unity, healing, compassion and inner peace. They described the walk as a spiritual journey and not a protest.
The monks plan to travel through 10 states on a route covering about 2,300 miles to Washington, D.C., including planned stops at the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Organizers said the walk is expected to last more than 100 days.
The monks follow traditional Buddhist discipline during the journey. They walk mindfully, accept food and water offered by residents and speak with community members who meet them along the route.
The group traveled from Fort Worth to Austin, then continued toward the Houston region. By the time they reached Houston, they had walked hundreds of miles over more than two weeks. On Day 20 of the journey, the monks attended community gatherings at Hong Kong City Mall, Lien Hoa Temple and the Vietnam Buddhist Center.
Residents in several neighborhoods, including Pearland, Crestmont Park and Nieto Park, greeted the group. Some walked short distances with them. A dog named Aloka, which joined the monks at the start, became a familiar presence during the walk.
Organizers estimated that the monks had walked more than 400 miles before leaving the Houston area and continuing east, with nearly 1,800 miles remaining to Washington, D.C.
The collision occurred at about 6:15 p.m. on U.S. 90 near State Highway 99. Police said a truck struck an escort vehicle that was following the monks with hazard lights on, causing the vehicle to move forward and hit the monks on the shoulder of the road. One monk sustained serious lower-body injuries and was flown to a trauma center. Another monk had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.
The monks plan to continue the remaining stages of the journey, including stops at state capitols and historic sites, with events focused on messages of nonviolence and inner peace.