A routine commercial truck inspection along Interstate 81 turned tragic Wednesday morning after a passing tractor-trailer left the roadway and struck a Pennsylvania State Police trooper.
Pennsilvania State Police Investigators say Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. was outside his patrol vehicle inspecting a commercial truck on the shoulder of the interstate when another tractor-trailer suddenly drifted off the highway.
The crash left two commercial trucks on fire and claimed the life of a veteran Pennsylvania State Police trooper who had spent nearly two decades keeping commercial vehicles safe on the Commonwealth’s highways.
Now, the Massachusetts truck driver accused of causing the deadly crash is facing multiple criminal charges. The truck driver is not your typical driver. After finding him for his arrest officials found he was actually not supposed to even be in the United States, let alone driving.
Trooper Was Conducting a Routine Safety Inspection
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the crash happened around 7 a.m. on July 1 along southbound Interstate 81 near Mile Marker 119.3 in Cass Township, Schuylkill County.
Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr., 44, a Schuylkill County native, was conducting a commercial motor vehicle inspection while standing near the cab of a stopped tractor-trailer on the highway’s right shoulder.His marked patrol vehicle was parked directly behind the truck with its emergency lights activated.
Investigators say a second southbound tractor-trailer, driven by Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, the illegal, from Massachusetts, left the travel lane and entered the shoulder.
The truck first struck the side mirror of Trooper Pahira’s patrol vehicle before crashing into the rear of the commercial vehicle being inspected, pushing it farther off the roadway. The tractor-trailer then struck Trooper Pahira.
Both commercial vehicles caught fire following the impact. Trooper Pahira suffered catastrophic injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that morning.
The driver of the truck being inspected was not injured. Bon was transported to a hospital for treatment. The crash forced the closure of Interstate 81 South for several hours while investigators processed the scene.
Nearly Twenty Years Serving Pennsylvania
Trooper Pahira enlisted with the Pennsylvania State Police in January 2007 and spent his career assigned to Troop L in Frackville as a Motor Carrier Inspector.
According to the department, he was widely respected for his experience enforcing commercial vehicle safety laws across Pennsylvania.
His death marks the 106th line-of-duty death in the history of the Pennsylvania State Police. Following the tragedy, Governor Josh Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags at Pennsylvania government facilities to be flown at half-staff until Trooper Pahira’s interment.
Driver Charged in Fatal Crash
Following the investigation, Bon was charged with:
- Homicide by Vehicle
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person
- Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices
- Improper Lane Usage
- Failure to Comply with Emergency Response Area Requirements
- Careless Driving Resulting in Death
- Reckless Driving
Court records show Bon was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel, who set bail at $700,000 cash. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16.
One Unexpected Detail Caught People’s Attention
While the fatal crash has dominated headlines, another moment after Bon’s arrest also drew attention online. Video showed him being wheeled into the correctional facility in what appeared to be a rolling office chair rather than walking under his own power.
The unusual scene prompted questions on social media. Officers responding in the comments said inmates who refuse to comply with orders, such as standing or walking during booking, may be moved in a rolling office chair instead of being carried by officers.
The investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing as Trooper Pahira’s family, fellow troopers, and community mourn the loss of a veteran officer who dedicated nearly 20 years to serving Pennsylvania.
Thought we got the illegals off the highways…
May God watch over Trooper Pahiras family.