Police: Driver Fled Crash That Killed PA Firefighter

June 18 -- The driver of a car involved in a crash that killed Dover Township Firefighter Chase Hartlaub initially ran from the scene, according to police, who are asking that witnesses come forward.

At about 11:08 p.m. Friday, June 15, a BMW 328i heading eastbound on Emig Mill Road collided with a Ford Escape at the intersection of Mayfield Drive in Dover Township, according to a news release from Northern York County Regional Police.

The crash also damaged a Toyota Corolla parked on the road, police said.

Hartlaub, 18, of North Main Street in New Salem, was a passenger in the BMW and was taken to York Hospital by ambulance.

Despite wearing his seat belt, he suffered blunt-force head trauma that killed him, according to the York County Coroner's Office.

He was pronounced dead at York Hospital at 3:37 a.m. Saturday, June 16, according to the coroner's office. An autopsy was performed on Monday, June 18, at Allentown's Lehigh Valley Hospital.

The BMW ran a stop sign, hit another vehicle, lost control and ran into a fence, the coroner's office said.

Its driver, a 22-year-old man, initially fled the scene, according to Northern Regional Police.

The driver, who escaped injury, turned himself in a short time later, police said. The man's name has not yet been released.

The Ford's driver also wasn't hurt and the Toyota was unoccupied, according to police.

Dover Township fire/rescue crews were the first to respond to the crash scene, where they quickly realized they were caring for one of their own.

"Chase Hartlaub was an amazing young man, a heck of a fireman, and leader even in his short time with us," the department posted on its Facebook page. "Chase you will be surely missed, but never forgotten. Please keep Chase’s family, our members, and our families in your thoughts and prayers."

Hartlaub also volunteered with Community Fire Co. of Seven Valleys and North Codorus Township Fire Co.

"We are extremely saddened that we announce the tragic loss of Firefighter Chase Hartlaub," Community Fire Co. posted on its Facebook page. "Chase was tragically taken from us due to a motor vehicle accident. We ask that you keep his family, Dover Twp Fire Department, North Codorus Twp Fire Co, and our Dept in your deepest thoughts and prayers."

Hartlaub had just graduated from York County School of Technology and was starting a new job at a large local collision center, according to Dover Township Deputy Fire Chief Brian Widmayer.

Northern Regional Police ask that anyone with information about the crash call them at 717-292-3647, or contact them through their phone tip line at 717-467-TELL, or at [email protected].

___ (c)2018 The York Dispatch (York, Pa.) Visit The York Dispatch (York, Pa.) at www.yorkdispatch.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.