The CEO of East Penn Manufacturing Company was struck and killed Friday morning, June 20, while jogging near her home in Pike Township.
Sally Miksiewicz, 52, of Lobachsville Road, was killed instantly when she was hit by a truck driven by Mark Miller, 56, of Richmond Township. The accident occurred at approximately 7:27 a.m. on Boyer Road, which is located a mile or so from Miksiewicz’s home.
Police say Miksiewicz was out for her morning jog near Ridgewood Lane when she was struck by Miller’s pickup. The truck, which left several long skid marks, subsequently came to rest in the woods. It was undetermined in which direction Miksiewicz was running at the time of the accident.
Miller has been questioned by investigators and ordered to undergo a blood test. No charges have been filed.
Miksiewicz was the chief executive officer and vice chairman of East Penn, Berks County’s largest privately-held business. The company was founded by her father, DeLight Breidegam Jr., in 1946, and has since become the county’s second-largest employer.
A company statement said that Miksiewicz had served as CEO of the company since 2009, having worked there at the time for 25 years.
‘Sally was the daughter of East Penn’s founder and chairman, DeLight Breidegam Jr. Her dedication and inspiration to the company for over 30 years has been an important part of the company’s growth and success. Her passion for the business created new innovations for the future. East Penn will continue to honor Sally by being committed to her vision.’
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, a friend, weighed in on Miksiewicz and her contributions to the community. ‘She’s one of the most humble people I’ve ever met,’ Leinbach said. She has all kinds of reasons to tout the great success that she’s achieved, and yet people that knew her knew that’s not the way she was. This community is going to be a lot weaker without her here.’
Along with her parents and a brother, Miksiewicz was survived by four children. Services will be held Friday, June 27 at the Kutztown University’s O’Pake Field House. Doors will open at 8 a.m. with services beginning at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Scholarship Fund at Moravian College, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
