Trooper Michael Pahira was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle while conducting a vehicle safety inspection on Interstate Highway 81 in Cass Township.
At 7:00 a.m., Trooper Pahira was in the southbound lanes near exit 119 inspecting a commercial vehicle when a tractor-trailer struck his patrol vehicle and slammed into the inspected vehicle. Due to the speed of the tractor-trailer, the force pushed the commercial vehicle into the side of the road and trapped Trooper Pahira under the vehicle. The tractor-trailer then caught fire.
Trooper Pahira was transported to the hospital, but succumbed to his injuries 90 minutes later.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was injured and transported to a local hospital.
Trooper Pahira had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 20 years, assigned to Troop L in Frackville. Survivors include his parents and sister.
