Truck driver charged with homicide of Pennsylvania trooper struck during I-81 commercial vehicle inspection

A truck driver has been charged in connection with the death of a veteran Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) trooper who was fatally struck during a roadside commercial vehicle inspection on Wednesday.

Massachusetts-based truck driver Michael Bon, 33, has been issued 10 charges, including felony vehicular homicide and felony vehicular aggravated assault, The Citizen’s Voice reports.

The charges were issued following a crash that claimed the life of PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr., 44.

At 7 a.m. on July 1, 2026, Trooper Pahira was conducting a commercial vehicle inspection on I-81 Southbound near mile marker 119.3 in Cass Township, Pennsylvania.

PSP said that Trooper Pahira was “actively engaged in the inspection” and standing near the cab of a commercial vehicle that was pulled off on the shoulder of I-81. Trooper Pahira’s police cruiser was parked directly behind the parked commercial vehicle with emergency lighting activated.

“A second CMV was also traveling southbound on I-81 and approached the location. The second CMV left the roadway and struck the patrol unit’s side view mirror. It then impacted the rear of the CMV, which was being inspected, pushing it further off the roadway. The second CMV then struck Trooper Pahira. Both CMVs caught on fire after impact,” PSP said.

Trooper Pahira was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

The driver of the inspected commercial truck was hospitalized with injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Trooper Pahira joined PSP in January of 2007 and was assigned to Troop L, Frackville, as a Motor Carrier Inspector.