CASS TWP., SCHUYLKILL CO. (WOLF) — The driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash that killed Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira has been charged.
Court records show Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was charged Wednesday with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, careless driving resulting in an unintentional death, failing to properly navigate an emergency response area, improper lane usage and failure to obey a traffic control device.
The charges stem from Wednesday morning’s crash on Interstate 81 south near mile marker 119 in Cass Township, Schuylkill County.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, Trooper Pahira, a 20-year veteran assigned to the Frackville barracks, was conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection when a passing tractor-trailer left the travel lane, entered the shoulder and struck the inspection scene.
Investigators said the truck hit Pahira’s marked inspection vehicle, pushing it into the tractor-trailer he was inspecting. Pahira was struck, trapped beneath the vehicles and seriously injured. The striking truck caught fire after the collision.
Fellow troopers and emergency responders pulled Pahira from beneath the burning vehicle and attempted lifesaving measures for approximately 90 minutes. He later died at the hospital.
Bon was also injured in the crash and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill for treatment.
Court records indicate Bon was arraigned Wednesday evening. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16 before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel.