Montour Township, Columbia County – A tragic motorcycle accident on Route 11 near Bloomsburg claimed the life of 36-year-old Ruth Persing on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. when a distracted driver, reportedly answering a ringing phone, struck the motorcycle from behind.
Ruth Persing was a passenger on the motorcycle, which was operated by her husband, Franklin Persing, a resident of Berwick. Despite the swift arrival of emergency responders, Ruth was pronounced dead at the scene. Franklin Persing sustained serious injuries and was transported to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment.
The Montour Township police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Initial reports suggest that the driver of the car briefly took their eyes off the road to answer a phone call, leading to the fatal collision.
This incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and frustration on social media. Maryellen Yothers commented on Facebook, urging drivers to "pay attention to the road instead of your damn phone. A life was taken because your damn phone was ringing." Shell Wynn echoed these sentiments, lamenting, "Yessssss poor young woman died cuz of stupidity!!!!!! Let the phone ring!!! Pull off the road!!!!"
Other community members expressed their sorrow and frustration over the accident. Paula DeVine noted, "I see this day in and day out in my travels and it is pathetic that people can’t put their phone down, especially while driving!" Melissa Ginck-Temple simply called the event "such a tragedy," while Brian Clark argued that the driver "should be charged with manslaughter."
The tragic death of Ruth Persing serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. As the investigation continues, Montour Township police are expected to release further updates.