State police said collision apparently caused when another driver turned in front of him
Updated at 11:50 to include firefighting affiliations
State police from the Embreeville barracks responded to a fatal accident in West Bradford Township Wednesday night.
State police are investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash in West Bradford Township at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday night that claimed the life of a 27-year-old motorcyclist and volunteer firefighter.
Police said Robert D. Miller of West Chester was traveling west on Strasburg Road, east of Lucky Hill Road, on a Honda motorcycle, when an eastbound 2000 Ford Taurus driven by Hope M. Merkert, 51, of West Chester, attempted to turn left into a driveway, colliding with the motorcycle, police said.
The impact threw Miller, who was not wearing a seatbelt, from the vehicle, police said. He was flown by Pennstar to Paoli Hospital, where he died of his injuries this morning at 3:50 a.m., police said.
Miller served as a trustee and volunteer for the Good Will Fire Company in West Chester and as a captain for the West Bradford Fire Company, according to the web sites for both organizations.
Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene, police said. Strasburg Road was closed near the accident scene earlier this morning so that crash reconstruction experts from Troop J could continue their investigation, police said. Troopers from the Embreeville barracks received assistance at the scene from the West Bradford fire department and Good Fellowship emergency medical services, police said.
The article states he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was ejected form the vehicle yet also clearly states he was riding a motorcycle.
Prayers are with the Miller family! A terrible accident with a terrible outcome. Payers also with the Merkert family as they deal with the outcome of this accident. This is sad all the way around.
The article was a bit confusing because, it said he was on a motorcycle & then he didn’t have a seatbelt. I think whoever is in charge of editing needs to be more careful. My heart goes out to the family of this young man, it breaks my heart to see another life taken. Motorcyclist take a risk riding, but motorists need to be more aware of their surroundings & take extra precautions with the warm weather approaching. Prayers going out to the family!
There are no seat belts on motorcycles. End of story.
With that said, it’s a shame that this is happening already. Every year drivers lack the common sense ability to look before doing.
I’ve been riding for a long time and have had it happen to me plenty of times. Stay vigilant out there…
Such a tragedy and terrible loss. I got to know Robbie at work for a short time and can say that he was the type of guy that everyone wanted to be friends with. He would talk to anyone and always had a smile. He was genuine and kind and will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and all of those fortunate enough to have him as a friend.
Robbie was a great and kind person – selfless and true. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
God Bless the miller family lets focus on Rob and family show some respect
Whether he was or was not wearing a seat belt doesn’t change that a young life had been lost. Motorcycles need to not be looked over and ALL drivers need to pay attention to them while driving on the road. Robbie Miller was a wonderful man who served his community. He always seemed to put others before himself in all situations of life. A good man was taken to heaven today, a little too soon.
Mike, I have never heard of a single motorcycle having a seat belt and why would there be one? A seat belt on one will significantly increase your chances of getting killed in a crash. Imagine being strapped on a 500 pound machine tumbling down a hillside. Not a pretty scenario.
Hey Mike, think bigger picture and stop being defensive. Fact is a good man, firefighter, friend, brother, and son lost his life in that accident. Quit worrying about being right or wrong or what you think is “pertinent”. God Bless the Miller family.
Amen on whether someone said “department or company? How low can people go to comment on such a trivial thing. Robbie got killed and that is the horrible thing. People, get a life and worry about what this family is going through and hope you never have to go through the same thing and having people worry because someone said department instead of company.
Like stated already, motorcycles do not have seatbelts… This lady killed someone, I hope she recieves the full extent of the law.
Well, actually, not true. Some motorcycles do have seatbelts, not many, granted, but as the bike in question did not have (or if it did, the rider did not use them) them and the rider was ejected some distance, it was a pertinent fact.
You do not know what happened yet. He could have been speeding, could have been an obstructed view like a turn/hill. Was he wearing a helmet? Yes she accidentally killed someone, how do you think she feels? As a fellow firefighter from the area my heart goes out to Robbie’s family and friends.
@chesco22 – seriously!! Robbie is a professional, helmet or not, who cares! That women hit him! No one has regard for motorcyclists! May God have mercy on her soul & may Robbie rest in peace! Heart felt sympathy to his family & friends!
This lady is a friend of mine..a very kind person who is suffering because of this. My prayers go out to both families involved in this accident
Couldn’t agree with you more Amy, a terrible result to an accident. Prayers to both families as they deal with this terrible outcome.
This is a horrible situation, but im sure this lady did not try to kill him. I hope you all can forgive her and stop acting like she tried to kill someone while turning into her drive way. A tragic accident, but still an accident.
A good man (firefighter) has past and you are concerned about the capitalization in the news article. God Bless his family. I knew Rob “RamRod” and can only imagine the pain this will cause the community. He was a dedicated firefighter, and a had a heart of gold.
Thanks very much for your lovely tribute; the state police did not identify him as a firefighter.
He was a firefighter at the Good Will Fire Co. of West Chester and the Captain of the fire company that responded, West Bradford Fire Company. The Fire Police are part of the Fire Co.
He was on a motorcycle… of course he is not going to be wearing a seatbelt.
And it’s West Bradford Fire Company
I used the lower-case “department” because West Bradford fire police were also involved.