Ex-RI Pastor Killed In Motorcycle Crash In CT

BERLIN, CT — A former Rhode Island pastor was killed after the motorcycle he was riding was hit by a vehicle on Route 9 in Berlin, Connecticut, late Wednesday afternoon.

According to Connecticut State Police, the Rev. Paul David Kramplitz, 65, of Cromwell, was killed after the Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was riding collided with another vehicle on the state highway. Kramplitz was also the chaplain for Connecticut State Police.

Chaplain mourned

The longtime chaplain's death sent shock waves through the state law enforcement community, as Krampitz was, often, a friendly face that helped officers cope with seeing some of the worst of their jobs. Krampitz was appointed as a Connecticut State Police chaplain on July 3, 2008.

"Chaplain Krampitz touched the lives of hundreds of Troopers, Dispatchers, and support staff in his 16 years of service," wrote Connecticut State Police in a statement Thursday morning.

Police officials called Krampitz a "pillar to our agency" following one of the darkest days law enforcers ever had to deal with in December 2012 — the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown.

"Chaplain Krampitz was a pillar to our agency following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and navigated our agency through dozens of critical incident stress management debriefings," wrote CSP.

From 2004 to 2007, Krampitz served as a pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church in West Warwick.

The accident

Police, in an accident report released late Wednesday night, said Kramplitz was riding in the left lane of two on Route 9 North in Berlin near Exit 33.

Meanwhile, police said a 2006 Chevrolet Impala being driven by a 24-year-old New Britain man was traveling in the right lane of Route 9, in front of the motorcycle.

According to the report, the Impala at 4:14 p.m. "encroached into the left lane and collided" with the Harley-Davidson.

As a result of the collision, Kramplitz was thrown from his motorcycle, which ended up on the left shoulder.

Police said he suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to New Britain Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Impala was not injured and declined medical treatment.

The accident is still under investigation by state police, who are seeking the public's help in the probe.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dash camera footage of the area at the time of the collision is asked to contact Trooper Michael Dean at Troop H in Hartford at 860-534-1098 or by email at michael.dean@ct.gov

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