Pennsylvania trooper hit, killed by tractor-trailer on I-81

A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was hit and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County on Wednesday morning, authorities said. 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro identified the trooper killed as Michael Pahira, a nearly 20-year veteran who was assigned to Troop L's Frackville station. 

According to investigators, Pahira was inspecting a commercial vehicle around 7 a.m. on I-81 South in Cass Township when another tractor-trailer left the roadway, crashing into him and the truck he was inspecting before catching fire. Pahira died from his injuries, police said.

Homicide by vehicle charges filed in trooper's death

Thirty-three-year-old Michael Bon of Brocton, Massachusetts, is facing charges in Pahira's death, including homicide by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. 

According to the criminal complaint, construction workers nearby saw smoke coming from the crash and ran to help Pahira, who was pinned under the tractor-trailer. 

Police said Pahira and the truck he was inspecting had been parked safely off of the roadway, meaning Bon would have had to leave the lane of travel to cause the crash.

Trooper killed remembered as a hero

"The man died a hero," Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens said during a press conference. "He was an outstanding trooper, an excellent motor carrier enforcement officer. He'd been doing it for a number of years and was considered to be one of our best." 

Shapiro said Pahira had just moved back in with his parents to help take care of his mother, who was battling cancer. His friends and family are remembering him for kindness and humor. 

"He was a good man and he was a good cop and he was taken from us far too soon as he served our community," Shapiro said.

To honor Pahira, Shapiro ordered the flags to fly at half-staff.