Police and emergency personnel responded to a fatal motorcycle accident around 7:15 PM this evening (Wednesday, August 27, 2014) on the Hometown Hill (Claremont Avenue/SR309) in Rush Township (just north of the Tamaqua border).
Sergeant Duane Frederick, Rush Township Police, said Brian Bittner, 38, Barnesville, was traveling north on SR309 on a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he lost control, crossed the double-yellow lines, struck the rear-driver side of a southbound vehicle (a Chevrolet Impala), and then impacted a box truck parked at the Seitz Brothers Exterminating parking lot.
Initially, a medical airlift helicopter was dispatched to land at the intersection of SR54 and SR309 in Hometown to transport the victim to a hospital for a severe injury to his leg. Sadly, the Bittner succumbed to his injuries before transport.
Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Andrew Szczyglak pronounced Bitter at 8:10 PM.
Responding in addition to Rush Township Police, were Tamaqua Police, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua firefighters, Rush Township firefighters, Quakake firefighters, Tamaqua Ambulance, Lehighton Ambulance and others.
Traffic was backed up a good distance in both directions, as volunteers alternated traffic flow around the scene. Tamaqua fire police, firefighters and Hometown Fire Police controlled traffic on the Hometown Hill for the duration.
Rush Township Police are still investigating.

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Click HERE to view PAHomepage (WYOU/WBRE TV) story. (credited TamaquaArea.com photo)
Click HERE to view Morning Call newspaper story. (credited TamaquaArea.com photos)
Click HERE to view WNEP TV story. (credited TamaquaArea.com photos)

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