On a clear, sunny morning in Myerstown, Pa., Joseph Kunder left early for his six-mile commute to work on June 1, 2022. Unaware it would be his last ride, Kunder was traveling along a straight stretch of road on his motorcycle, expecting just another shift as a tech support specialist, when a driver following a truck hauling farm machinery struck him. The crash, captured on dash cam and detailed in police reports, left Kunder dead at the scene despite first responders’ attempt at CPR.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police report, the crash occurred just before 7 a.m. at the intersection of State Route 501 and King Street. Kunder was traveling southbound, wearing a helmet, on SR 501 when a northbound vehicle turned left in front of him to head west on King Street. The northbound vehicle followed immediately behind a truck, failing to yield and without properly clearing the southbound lane. The driver told police they never saw Kunder’s motorcycle.
There were tire marks in the southbound lane indicating that Kunder had applied his brakes before the collision, but he had little time or space to react.
The impact occurred at the front passenger side of the vehicle, cracking the windshield and crumpling the bumper and fender. Kunder was thrown over the car upon impact. His motorcycle came to rest tipped on its right side, with disabling damage to the front end, a dented rim, and visible scrapes down the right side. Physical evidence showed both vehicles came to rest in the southbound lane of SR 501. According to police, the weather was clear, the road was dry, and the speed limit in the area was 40 miles per hour.
At the scene police initially indicated that the driver would likely face a vehicular manslaughter charge. However, following further investigation, they were only charged with a turning violation.
Joseph was a family-oriented Christian man who was not only devoted to his loved ones, but was devoted to finding a fix to almost any problem — technology, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise. He was a true jack of all trades. And in his spare time, he had a memorable appetite for adventuring with his wife.
Survived by his two children, grandchildren and his wife of 34 years, Kunder was, and continues to be, deeply loved.
“We had devoted our lives to raising our family and working hard and were finally going to take the time for us. I was robbed of ‘our’ time,” said Tina Kunder, Kunder’s wife. “I have taken Joe’s ashes with me on several trips that I have taken without him physically by my side. I try to keep going but I miss him every second of every day.”
Tina Kunder, dissatisfied with the outcome of the legal proceedings, continues to fight for the justice she believes her husband deserves. She also started a Facebook group in 2025 entitled “In Loving Memory of Joseph Kunder III – Acts of Kindness” requesting acts of kindness in Joseph’s memory for the month of June.
“I saw the tarp and the scene, and I can’t erase that from my mind. I saw the result of distracted driving and I live with the outcome of it every moment of every day,” said Tina Kunder. “I drive past people who are on phones, looking off to the side or searching their vehicle for something that they need in that moment. At the same time traveling a distance with no eyes on the road.
At any moment anything can happen, and it can happen to you. No one is exempt. Yes, I live the reality of it, and I know the pain.”
The Paul Miller law enacted on June 5, 2025, gives Tina Kunder at least some morsel of hope after the passing of Joseph. The law permits officers to scope out and pull over drivers who are distracted by their cell phone while operating the vehicle. She believes this could mark a turning point in stronger convictions for distracted driving.
“Your actions can take a life and forever change your own. Please give extra space for motorcyclists and be diligent in your driving with a focus on everything around you. Don’t be distracted,” said Tina Kunder.
Myra Kirk
Myra Kirk is a journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. She previously interned at Bucket List Community Café and is currently an editor for the upcoming Mountain Time Magazine.
