Penn. Firefighter Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Reading Eagle, Pa.

May 29—Veteran Reading firefighter Erik Hirner, 38, died late Sunday, two days after the motorcycle he was driving to work was hit by an SUV in Maidencreek Township.

His death was announced Monday, and the news sent waves of grief through the city's emergency services community.

Hirner, of North Catasauqua, Lehigh County, died in Reading Hospital, according to the Berks County coroner's office.

The three-vehicle crash, in which an SUV hit another SUV that then hit Hirner's motorcycle, occurred as he was on his way to his job at the Third and Court streets fire station.

"We're all still in shock," James Stoudt Jr., a deputy chief in Reading, said Monday. "Everyone is still upset. But it's the way that our department is, that we'll go on and continue."

Flags at all Berks County fire stations were ordered to be flown at half-staff Monday.

Plans call for a procession on Thursday leaving from that station. Further details were not available.

A statement by the Reading firefighters union was posted on its Facebook page. It read:

"It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Reading Fire Fighter Erik Hirner. Erik was critically injured on Friday May 25th when he was involved in a motorcycle accident on his way to work. After multiple attempts to save his life, he has tragically succumbed to his injuries.

"Erik is an eleven-year veteran of The Reading Fire Department and is currently assigned to Ladder One Tiller on the C Platoon. Erik was a great friend to all, and a great Fire Fighter. His loss will be felt throughout the Fire Department for years to come. Please keep Erik's family and friends in your prayers in this most difficult of times."

The statement concluded by asking people to consider assisting his family with expenses by making a donation at www.gofundme.com/ErikHirner.

The Berks County coroner's office said Monday that an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday, and a ruling on the cause and manner of death will await a report from the autopsy and the police investigation.

District Attorney John T. Adams said Monday that the crash is still under investigation by the accident reconstruction team in his office.

"It (the crash) met our criteria for DA involvement," Adams said. "The fact that someone died in the crash is one criterion. There are no answers at this point as to if someone (involved in the accident) will be charged."

Stoudt said Hirner had worked at the Third and Court streets station since September 2012.

He said the tragedy has hit hard. Hirner's helmet and firefighter gear still hang alongside the others at the station.

"For everyone throughout the department, it's been a terrible tragedy," Stoudt said. "Everyone has been very strong for each other and for the family. When this happened, our main concern has been taking care of Erik and Erik's family and making sure we can do the best for them that we can do."

Stoudt went to Reading Hospital after the crash. He said the initial reports indicated it was a grave situation.

Northern Berks Regional police gave this account:

A northbound SUV driven by Miguel A. Mejia, 57, Lancaster, crossed the center line going over a ridge, then had a glancing collision with an oncoming SUV driven by Christopher Blackwell, 31, Leesport.

After impact, Mejia's SUV was headed off the road, but he swerved to keep it on the road, and the vehicle collided with Hirner's southbound motorcycle.

Blackwell suffered lacerations from shattering glass and sought treatment later at a hospital.

Maidencreek Road was closed until about 10 p.m. between Calcium and Evansville roads while police investigated.

There was another crash a short time after the road was reopened at that location.

Police said Derek Brown, 25, North Catasauqua, a friend of Hirner's, stopped his northbound pickup truck on the downhill side of the ridge.

A northbound car driven by Kylie Witkus, 17, Hamburg, came over the ridge and hit the back of the truck, police said.

There were no injuries.

Police are still investigating.

Hirner worked as a tillerman, steering the back end of the station's ladder truck as it made its way to fires and other emergency situations in the city.

Once on the scene, he specialized in search-and-rescue and ventilation.

"He was a great firefighter," Stoudt said. "It was his true calling and he was good at it."

Hirner is survived by a wife and a 13-year-old daughter, Stoudt said. The firefighters will do everything they can to help the family after the tragedy, he said.

"Going forward, we're going to continue to do the job because that's what Erik would have wanted and that's what we do," the chief said. "Our best therapy for each other is just to continue to do the job and continue to remember him and to be there for ourselves and for his family.

"Being there for his family is a huge comfort to us."