A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was killed Wednesday morning while conducting a commercial vehicle inspection along Interstate 81 south, officials confirmed.<\/p>\n
The trooper has been identified as Trooper Michael E. Pahira, a 20-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police and a motor carrier enforcement officer assigned to the Frackville barracks.<\/p>\n
According to state police, the fatal crash occurred around 7 a.m. near mile marker 119 on I-81 southbound as Trooper Pahira was conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection on a tractor-trailer pulled over along the shoulder.<\/p>\n
Investigators said another tractor-trailer traveling southbound left the roadway and entered the shoulder, striking the marked inspection vehicle. The impact forced the inspection vehicle into the tractor-trailer being inspected. Trooper Pahira, who was standing near the driver\u2019s side door of the inspected truck, was struck and became trapped beneath the vehicles.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the striking tractor-trailer then caught fire while the trooper remained pinned underneath.<\/p>\n
Emergency responders and fellow troopers rushed to the scene and were able to pull him from beneath the burning wreckage. Life-saving efforts were immediately initiated, and medical personnel worked for approximately 90 minutes to revive him. Despite those efforts, Trooper Pahira never regained consciousness and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.<\/p>\n
Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens described Pahira as one of the department\u2019s finest officers, praising his professionalism and dedication to motor carrier enforcement.<\/p>\n
Governor Josh Shapiro also paid tribute, calling him \u201ca good man and a good cop,\u201d and ordering flags across Pennsylvania and the United States to be flown at half-staff in his honor.<\/p>\n
The driver of the tractor-trailer that caused the initial impact was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released the driver\u2019s identity or condition, and it remains unclear whether criminal charges will be filed.<\/p>\n
Interstate 81 southbound was shut down for several hours between Exit 124A and Exit 119 as investigators processed the scene and examined the heavily damaged vehicles, including the burned tractor-trailer.<\/p>\n
State police say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the deadly crash.<\/p>\n
Trooper Michael E. Pahira\u2019s death marks a profound loss for the Pennsylvania State Police and the community he served with dedication for two decades.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"