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Many express support for fire policeman injured at 9-11 Ride

South Williamsport fire policeman William Howlett remains hospitalized with serious injuries he suffered nearly a week ago when he was struck by a motorcycle that was participating in last Monday night's Lycoming County 9-11 Memorial Coalition Ride.

As he recovers in the intensive care unit at UPMC Williamsport, several neighbors and friends, especially those in the close-knit fire community, are hoping Howlett, a dedicated fire police officer for decades, will make a full recovery.

"We're certainly rooting for him," one neighbor said Saturday afternoon, adding that "Bill called me from the hospital and said a motorcycle ran over him."

Another neighbor said "He is a super nice guy and would do anything for anyone."

"Bill has a heart of gold. He is a good guy,'' one longtime county volunteer firefighter said of the Marine veteran.

"If you ask Bill to do something, he will do it 100 percent," said the fireman, who has known him for years.

Howlett, a retired custodian from the South Williamsport School District, was standing in the intersection of Riverside Drive and Maynard Street in South Williamport when he was hit by a westbound motorcycle whose female operator apparently was blinded by the sun and never saw Howlett, people familiar with accident said they were told.

"He was facing west. He never saw the cyclist coming," so he had no chance to get out of the way, the veteran volunteer firefighter said. The accident happened about 6:30 p.m., and Howlett was pinned under the cycle for about 10 minutes, according to fire officials.

South Williamsport police are leading the investigation, but no infomation about the accident has yet been released officially from the department. Officers have tried to interview Howlett at the hospital, sources told the Sun-Gazette.

Howlett was just one of an estimated 60 volunteer fire police or firemen taking part in the 9-11 Coalition Ride special detail, assisting with traffic control.

"One of his legs was wrapped around the front axle of the motorcycle," a veteran fire police officer who has known him for a long time said Saturday night.

Friends have been told Howlett suffered a broken leg, a broken back and head injuries.

"We're hoping he makes a full recovery and will be back to serving the community the way he has for a long time. He has always been very dependable. When he says he will be there, he is there," his fire police friend said.

"It will be a while until he gets back on his feet," the friend said.

"It's very unfortunate. These are the dangers of the job," he added.

While there have been other accidents in past 9-11 coalition rides, "this is the first one I remember that landed someone in the hospital, let alone the ICU," the fellow-fire police officer said.

At least one firefighter, very familiar with the 9-11 ride, who did not want to be named, expressed concern Saturday over what repercussions, if any, the accident just might have; specifically, will it be more difficult to get fire police to work the special detail in the future.

In the meantime, many are keeping Howlett in their thoughts and prayers.

"The South Williamsport Fire Department is here for him, to support him with whatever he needs. We're praying for him," borough Fire Chief Jeff Hughes, the only official willing to allow his name to be used for the article, said.