By Michael Buck
The Eastern Express Times
HANOVER TWP., Pa. — When Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Co. members received a call early Sunday morning for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Bath Pike, they had no idea the victim was one of their own.
Scott Milham, the Northampton County company’s fire chief, said the crash happened about 150 yards from company headquarters. Members found Mark Rheiner, the company’s safety officer and former chief, lying in the road.
“It’s absolutely the worst thing that can happen, besides him dying fighting a fire,” Milham said Monday.
Rheiner, 45, of the 2900 block of Jacksonville Road, was struck about 12:50 a.m. by a tractor-trailer driven by James Alvin Sr., of Easton, Colonial Regional police Chief Roy Seiple said.
Seiple said police were still piecing together what happened, but witnesses told police Rheiner was already lying in the road when he was struck.
Police said charges are unlikely against Alvin. Seiple said there was no indication that alcohol or speed played a factor in the crash.
He said Alvin was taken for blood testing per procedure with crashes involving commercial drivers. Seiple said Alvin returned immediately after the crash.
“He knew that he hit something, but he didn’t know what,” Seiple said. “He turned around and immediately came back.”
Alvin works for National Freight Inc., police said. No one answered at a phone number listed for Alvin.
Police think Rheiner was out checking his mail when the crash happened. Seiple said Rheiner kept a small shop near the crash site.
After the crash, Milham gathered fire company members about 3 a.m. at headquarters. He said he wanted to tell everyone directly.
“It’s left a very large hole in the fire company,” Milham said.
Milham said the experience was traumatic for members of the fire company. He said a critical incident stress team was notified to help members cope and provide counseling.
Milham, who knew Rheiner for 23 years, described him as an outdoorsman who liked to boat and paintball.
“It’s just so traumatic when you’ve known someone for that long,” Milham said.
Milham said Rheiner’s family was heavily involved in the fire company. Rheiner was fire chief for five years beginning in 2000.
Rheiner’s father was a former fire chief and his grandfather was the company’s first fire chief, Milham said.
“He was great with our junior firefighters,” Milham said. “He took them under his wing. He was a great mentor.”
Rheiner’s mother, Phyllis Rheiner, said her son was an integral part of the township’s fire company.
“He was a wonderful son,” Phyllis Rheiner said through tears. “He was just good.”
Phyllis Rheiner, who is also involved with the fire company, did not wish to speak further.
Copyright 2010 Eastern Express Times
All Rights Reserved