Accident claims corrections officer
Scott Cooper July 16th, 2010
By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item
MILTON — A Milton man was struck and killed late Thursday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding crashed head-on into a pickup truck that crossed his path while turning into Becky’s Soft Serve ice cream on Route 405, police said.
State police at Milton said Brett C. Paulhamus, 36, of Milton, riding a 2006 Suzuki C-60, was traveling north on Route 405 in Turbot Township at 4:25 p.m., when a 1995 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, traveling south and driven by Ray E. Rothfuss Jr., 67, of Muncy, attempted to make a left turn into the restaurant. When Rothfuss turned, he came directly into the path of the Suzuki.
According to a police report, Rothfuss slammed on his brakes, trying to avoid the motorcycle, but the motorcycle could not avoid hitting the car.
Paulhamus, who police said was not wearing a helmet or any safety equipment other than glasses, was thrown from his bike and landed on the road.
Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelly pronounced Paulhamus dead at 4:54 at the scene.
“He died of multiple-force trauma,” Kelley said.
Paulhamus was a sergeant at SCI Muncy and news of his death hit his colleagues hard.
Troy Edwards, who worked with Paulhamus on the prison’s Correctional Emergency Response Team, said Paulhamus was a “consummate professional and a real role model at the prison.”
“He was an outstanding employee,” Edwards said. “He worked his way up to sergeant. He did a good job, and he always volunteered for extra duties. I worked with him on the CERT team. He will definitely be missed.”
Edwards said he would only comment on Paulhamus’s professional life. “I didn’t really know much about his personal life,” he said.
On Paulhamus’s Facebook page, Denise Smith, a friend, wrote: “It is with great and deep sadness to have lost one of our own; a good person and good Sgt. My prayers and heartfelt blessings go out to Brett’s family. He will not be forgotten by his co-workers because United We Stand!!”
Another friend on Facebook, Edward Gusbar, said, ” It’s a sad day today in SCI Muncy land. We lost one of our own. Sgt. P, you will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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