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Loganville fire chief killed directing traffic on I-83

Loganville Volunteer Fire Department mourns
York Township fire department assistant chief Josh Stiffler helps hang up the ribbon over the bay at Loganville Fire Co. after Loganville’s chief, Rodney Miller, was killed early Saturday morning, when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic. YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS–JASON PLOTKIN

Loganville Fire Chief Rodney Miller died this morning while in the line of duty.

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Loganville Volunteer Fire Chief Rodney Miller remembered (w/video)

In this file photo, Loganville Fire Chief Rodney Miller responds to questions after he had been awake for 30 hours. Behind him is the damaged storage facility for Adhesives Research in Springfield Township. The Loganville Fire Company was the first responder for an explosion at the facility in January 2006.

News of Loganville Fire Chief Rodney Miller’s death spread through the community Saturday morning.

“He was just a perfect example of what a community person can be,” said Stan Brown, a former Loganville fire chief and friend.

Miller was a good leader, said Brown, who’s been with the fire company for 55 years.

Pam Eckard, the greenhouse manager at Brown’s Orchard and Farm Market in Springfield Township, said she met Miller a few years ago. He was the type of person who left an impression. “He would come up and give you a great big hug and a kiss on a cheek. He was always smiling,” Eckard said.

Miller was killed on I-83 south around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the York County coroner’s office. Miller, 45, of Seven Valleys, was directing traffic for a crash that occurred on I-83 near exit 8 (Glen Rock exit). He was taken to York Hospital, according to the coroner’s office. He was pronounced dead on arrival. The preliminary cause of death, according to the coroner’s office, is multiple blunt force trauma. An autopsy is scheduled for later today.

Matthew Scott Diehl
Matthew Scott Diehl, 32, of Shrewsbury is being held at York County Prison. District Judge Jeff Joy denied Diehl bail. (Photo courtesy of York County Prison)

The Pennsylvania State Police at York barracks said Matthew Scott Diehl, 32, of Shrewsbury, was taken into custody and charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and other violations. Police said Diehl was in the left lane on I-83 and moved over into the right lane and went around Miller’s vehicle, which was parked in the right lane with its emergency lights activated. Police said Miller was in road directing vehicles from the highway when Diehl struck Miller with the front passenger side of his 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. State police said Diehl continued south on I-83 until he was forced to come to a stop because of stopped vehicles in the backlog of the prior crash.

Diehl is at York County Prison. District Justice Jeff Joy denied bail in the case.

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