Ex-Trooper Accused In Pa. Turnpike Slaying Was $300K In Debt

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP/KDKA) - Court records show a retired state trooper who police say fatally shot two Pennsylvania Turnpike workers and robbed an armored car collecting fare money filed for bankruptcy last year and had been accused of domestic assault.

Federal bankruptcy records say Clarence Briggs and his wife Donna had debts of $315,000 when they sought protection in March 2015.

Police say that on Sunday, Briggs shot and killed turnpike employee Danny Crouse and Ronald Heist, who was working in turnpike security, at the rural Fort Littleton toll plaza west of Harrisburg.

Briggs was attempting to unload cash from a fare collection vehicle when troopers found and killed him.

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Briggs' bankruptcy lawyer, Chad Julius, says he's in shock.

Assault and harassment charges against the 54-year-old Briggs were dismissed four months after they were filed in March 2014. He patrolled the turnpike before retirement in 2012.

Turnpike chairman Sean Logan said commissioners and other officials were "deeply saddened by this horrific tragedy."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased victims, the turnpike employee and the contractor. We cannot imagine what the families must be feeling right now. Certainly, today will be a day that none of us will soon forget," Logan said.

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