Current Conditions
55°F - M/CLOUDY
(1078) (308) (188) (152) (18) (10) (7) (4) (2)
According to a press release from East Cocalico Township Police Department, Milton Howe, 55, of the 1500 block of North Reading Road, was killed when the car he was driving struck a tractor-trailer.
Howe's 1999 Nissan Altima was traveling north on Route 272 when it crossed into the southbound lane and struck the tractor-trailer, which was operated by Harry Rissler Jr., 72, of the first block of Ridgedale Avenue, New Providence, the press release states.
"The tractor-trailer veered as far right as he could, trying to avoid the accident," East Cocalico police Sgt. Raymond Burns said.
Howe was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:15 p.m. by Deputy Coroner Robert Granzow III, according to the press release.
Rissler was not hurt.
The accident occurred in front of the Wabash Center, 1243 N. Reading Road.
According to Titus Hoover, a witness, the tractor-trailer began to slow down "when suddenly the tires screamed."
Hoover, who lives in Reamstown, was standing along Route 272 at the nearby Redner's Market, waiting for a ride from a friend.
"I saw this car drift across the street," he said. "He didn't brake or anything, and it hit pretty hard. There was nothing the trucker could do."
The truck sustained moderate damage, but the car's front end was crushed.
Hoover said he hurried to the car, where he found Howe was conscious.
"He was blinking his eyes and looking around and moving around a little bit," Hoover said.
Hoover said he noticed Howe's legs "were bent back real hard" and he might have had broken legs. He said he was surprised to learn Howe had died.
"I couldn't see any life-threatening injuries on him whatsoever," Hoover said.
Route 272 was closed between Pfautz Hill Road and Church Street for 2½ hours.
Reamstown Fire Company, Denver Rescue and Reamstown Ambulance also responded to the accident.
An autopsy is scheduled for this morning to determine Howe's cause of death.
E-mail: lalexander@lnpnews.com
