Town, department has seen major fire, deadly collision and accident on Main St.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Jan. 18, 2018) Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing said recent weeks have been eventful – and taxing – for police.

“We’ve had a busy and stressful winter season so far, in so many ways,” he said during a Town Council meeting last Monday. “We’ve actually had a tragic fire, we’ve had a fatal accident [and] we’ve had a personal injury accident. We also had the big event of the ball drop and the winter event itself,” he said.

The 100-year-old home on Main Street of Hank and Julie Koenig caught fire on Dec. 13. Four days later, on Dec. 17, Newark resident June Gravenor, 73, died as a result of a car crash at the intersection of Route 113 and Bay Street.

Then, on Christmas Eve, a car downtown struck Keith Raffensberger, shattering his femur and breaking four ribs and his shoulder, among other injuries. He was sent to Shock Trauma in Baltimore and later transferred to Health South Rehabilitation.

A GoFundMe page remains active for Raffensberger, at www.gofundme.com/support-for-the-raffensbergers.

The first week of January brought more than a foot of snow, along with an extended streak of sub-freezing temperatures. As a result, several pipes burst and police, for about a week, were digging cars out from snowdrifts and patches of ice.

Downing said staff cooperation, during the difficult stretch, has been exceptional.

“We’ve seen all of the departments come together [working] tirelessly … and effectively,” he said.

During the fire, for example, Downing said the quick response from the Berlin Fire Company helped cut the electricity, while Berlin Water Resources made sure there was enough water pressure to allow firefighters to tame the blaze.

“After the event, we had the community come together and support a family,” Downing said. “We will go through storms, I definitely know that … but to see people come together during those times was so special.”

Donations of clothing, supplies and money came in to help the Koenigs rebuild their home. A GoFundMe page remains active, at www.gofundme.com/helping-the-koenings-rebuild.

Downing said multiple police, emergency services and fire agencies responded to the fatal car crash. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations helped during the aftermath and during an investigation of the pedestrian accident, he said.

He said officers worked 14-hour shifts throughout the snowstorm and provided more than 30 rescue assists. A five-ton Humvee operated by police department also helped county and state police during rescues, Downing said.

“I’m very proud of my guys … getting it done,” he said. “We commend everybody for their hard work.”

Police continue to look for a witness who spoke to officers on the night of the fatal accident, but did not leave his information. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333.

Downing said police are also waiting for medical records for that case to come back.

The driver in the pedestrian accident was reportedly a 20-year-year-old female resident of Berlin. Downing said no charges were filed and he does not foresee charges pending.

“We had an opportunity to interview Mr. Raffensberger on Monday. He is in good spirits and will be coming home this week,” Downing said last Wednesday.