Manheim Twp. crash victim was longtime firefighter

Sept. 04--A York Township man killed in a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday is being remembered for his dedication to the fire and emergency medical services.

Michael Golden Jr., an 11-year firefighter/paramedic with the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Fire Department, was known among the ranks for his compassion while helping others and his enthusiasm for the job, said fire Capt. Russ Davies.

"He was one of the guys who showed that (high) level of passion," he said of Golden.

Davies said he was Golden's supervisor a few years ago and recalled Golden as a man who was dedicated to the emergency services and went above and beyond the call of duty.

Golden, 32, also became a teacher, serving as a continuing education instructor in the department, and was a mentor for the younger ranks, Davies said.

"He was a great guy," Davies said. "He was very active in our EMS system."

Golden was assigned to the Brooklyn Park station, just south of Baltimore, Davies said.

The crash: Golden, who was off duty, was driving a Volkswagen Jetta on Lineboro Road toward Maryland about 5:10 p.m. when the car went into the oncoming lane and crashed into a Jeep Wrangler head-on, according to Southwestern Regional Police.

Golden was pronounced dead at the scene. He leaves behind friends and family, including a 3-year-old daughter.

He died of multiple blunt-force trauma, according to the coroner's office.

The crash happened about 500 feet from the Maryland line, and Golden appears to have been driving to his father's house in Westminster, said police Sgt. Jamie Stalcup.

The Jeep driver, whose name was not released, was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

Police aren't sure what caused Golden's Jetta to cross the center line, but they continue to investigate the crash.

Though Stalcup didn't personally know Golden, who also had been a medic with Hanover Hospital, some officers at the crash scene recognized him.

"They would see him on calls," Stalcup said.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Deptartment, which has 850 career firefighters and 600 volunteers, has been hit hard by fatal crashes of late. Since December, three other members of the department have been killed in crashes, Davies said.

Golden's family couldn't be reached for comment.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Joshua Poplin at (717) 225-1333, ext. 113.

-- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.

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