SUNBURY, PA : Prison warden suffers minor injuries in motorcycle crash on Wednesday, 19th October 2016

Northumberland County Prison Warden Bruce Kovach is counting his blessings after wrecking his motorcycle on Route 61 on Wednesday afternoon.

Kovach, who plans to be back on the job, avoided major injuries. He was initially afraid his leg was broken, but it only required stitches. Otherwise, he has a few scrapes and bruises.

"I feel like I took a beating," Kovach said. "But it could have been a lot worse. I was fortunate."

Trooper Jared Mowen of the Stonington State Police Barracks reported that Kovach was traveling on his 2014 Harley-Davidson Fatboy from the State Correctional Institute-Coal Township where county inmates are held in their own wing to return home in Sunbury. At approximately 3:30 p.m., he was just south of Ghezzi's Restaurant & Lounge and approximately 300 feet east of Country Club Road when George Griscavage, 78, of Elysburg, who was traveling in the opposite direction in a 2010 Chrysler SD, turned into a private driveway and Kovach struck the car.

"I hit the vehicle's right rear, and took the bumper off," Kovach said.

The 59-year-old warden said he's been driving motorcycles for at least 30 years. This is his second accident, the last in the early 1990s where he sustained similar injuries.

He was taken via an AREA Services ambulance to Sunbury Community Hospital for treatment. Griscavage and his passenger Joan Griscavage, 78, of Elysburg, were both using their seatbelts and were not injured in the incident.

Kovach noted that many people stopped to assist at the scene, including a nurse who was "very comforting."

"I really appreciate it," he said. "It made the difference. It goes to show that we live in a good area."

Mowen charged Griscavage with a summary traffic violation in the Shamokin office of District Judge John Gembic.

Source :
Prison warden suffers minor injuries in motorcycle crash