PAXINOS - A corrections officer praised as a "great guy" died Thursday when his pickup truck slammed broadside into a tree along Route 61 near here.
Matthew Persing, 41, who lived along the highway in Paxinos, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:05 p.m. by Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley.
The crash occurred at 11:30 a.m. when Persing's Ford F-250 hit a curb along the road, blowing out the front
passenger side tire, according to state police at Stonington. The truck went over the curb, then traveled along a grassy area as it rotated clockwise and hit the tree just a few feet off the highway.
The accident occurred near the intersection with Old Reading Road, Shamokin Township.
The coroner said the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma. He was assisted at the scene by deputy coroner Barry Leisenring.
Police said Persing was not wearing a seat belt.
Fair with all
Persing was a sergeant at State Correctional Institution-Coal Township, where he worked for the past 13 years, a co-worker and friend said Thursday night. The friend did not want his name used because of the nature of his work.
"He was a great guy, and I don't say that lightly," the man said. "He was always fair with staff and cons. He was well-respected by both groups, which, in the lockup business, is some accomplishment."
The coworker said some inmates expressed remorse when learning of Thursday's tragedy.
He said Persing was a U.S. Army veteran.
The coworker added that Persing helped him get home during the September flooding, then went off to look for others in need.
"It was his day off, too, from what I recall," he said. "That shows you his character."