Death of midstate man during police search with bulldozer ruled an accident

(Harrisburg) — The death of a midstate man who was run over by a bulldozer  state police had ordered to search state game lands has been ruled an accident.

Berks County District Attorney John Adams said his investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troopers last month in the death of Gregory Longenecker, 51, of Reading.

A Pennsylvania Game Commission employee was using the bulldozer to clear heavy brush on the morning of July 9th in Penn Township, when he noticed an illegally-parked vehicle and called police. Adams said it’s not uncommon to find marijuana grow operations on state game land, so the employee suspected something may be up. 

Police found Longenecker and another man in a clearing with several marijuana plants. He fled, while the other man was arrested.

Adams said the brush in that area is too thick to walk through and police dogs could not be used in the search. After the incident, hedge clippers and a knife were found near Longenecker, who may have been using the tools to cut a path through the underbrush. 

Troopers were called to assist in the search and one directed the Game Commission employee to use the bulldozer to search through the brush.

Adams said Longenecker was found trapped and unresponsive under the vehicle.

“Mr. Longenecker must have, he came out of the heavy brush and tried to hide underneath the bulldozer,” Adams said. 

Investigators say Longenecker likely crawled under the bulldozer to avoid capture. When it started moving, his arm was caught under the treads and his body was crushed.

An autopsy determined Longenecker was under the influence of methadone and methamphetamine at the time of his death.

“The forensic pathologist, Dr. [Neil] Hoffman, indicated that the decedent’s judgement, perception and coordination would have been considerably impaired at the time of his death due to this intoxication,” Adams said.