Cass Township, PA (July 2, 2026) – A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was killed Wednesday morning after an out-of-control tractor-trailer struck him during a commercial vehicle inspection along Interstate 81 in Cass Township. Emergency units were called to the southbound lanes near mile marker 119 shortly after 7 a.m.
Investigators said Trooper Michael Pahira, 44, was working as a motor carrier inspector assigned to the Frackville barracks when he was standing on the highway shoulder speaking with the driver of a parked tractor-trailer. A second commercial truck reportedly left the southbound lanes, struck Pahira’s parked patrol pickup, forced the inspected tractor-trailer off the roadway, and then hit the trooper.
The force of the collision dragged Pahira beneath the truck as it caught fire. He was freed from beneath the wreckage and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill, where he died without regaining consciousness. The driver of the truck that struck the trooper was also hospitalised. The driver of the tractor-trailer being inspected was not injured.
Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags across Pennsylvania to be flown at half-staff until Pahira’s interment. A 20-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, Pahira was remembered by colleagues and state leaders for his dedication to public service and his commitment to his family.
The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing, and no charging decisions have been announced. We extend our deepest condolences to Trooper Pahira’s family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers.
How Investigators Examine Fatal Commercial Truck Collisions
Fatal crashes involving commercial trucks require extensive investigation due to the vehicles’ size and complexity. Investigators typically inspect the trucks for mechanical issues, review electronic data recorders, examine driver logbooks, and evaluate roadway evidence such as tyre marks, debris patterns, and vehicle damage.
Investigators may also analyse weather conditions, traffic flow, surveillance footage, and witness statements to determine why a commercial vehicle left its lane or failed to avoid a collision. In cases involving roadside workers or law enforcement personnel, investigators often review whether established safety procedures were in place and whether drivers complied with laws requiring motorists to slow down or move over when approaching emergency or inspection activities on the shoulder.
