33-year-old Massachusetts man held on bail after highway crash that killed State Trooper

A Massachusetts man is facing several charges and is currently held on bail after the death of a State Trooper.

According to State Police, Michael E. Pahira, Jr., a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper assigned to Troop L, Frackville, was conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection Wednesday morning at approximately 7:00 a.m. along Interstate 81 South, Mile Marker 119 in Cass Township, Schuylkill County.

Trooper Pahira was outside his vehicle, standing in the vicinity of the cab of the CMV, actively engaged in the inspection. The CMV was stationary on the right shoulder of the highway. Trooper Pahira’s marked patrol unit had its emergency lighting activated and was positioned directly behind the CMV.

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.

Trooper Pahira was seriously injured and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Operator #1 was injured and is currently being medically treated. Operator #2 was not
injured and is facing charges.

Court records show that 33-year-old Michael Bon of Brockton was arraigned in Magisterial District Court on charges including Homicide by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, Careless Driving-Unintentional Death, Involuntary Manslaughter, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

He was unable to post his $700,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16th.

Trooper Pahira was 44 years old and is the 106th member of the Pennsylvania State
Police to die in the line of duty. He enlisted in the PSP in January of 2007 and was assigned to Troop L, Frackville, as a Motor Carrier Inspector.