Pennsylvania state trooper perishes in truck accident

Pennsylvania State Police are mourning the loss of one of their own after a semi-truck slammed into the man’s patrol car. The fatal truck accident occurred at Black Hawk Road near Route 168 about 10 a.m. According to authorities, the driver of the tractor-trailer went through a stop sign and barreled into the trooper’s vehicle.

Emergency personnel rushed the state trooper to an area hospital. Unfortunately, however, the 47-year-old officer died as a result of his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital. Officials report that the driver of the semi-truck is cooperating in their investigation. While criminal charges have not been filed against the man, there is not yet any official word on whether future charges could be forthcoming.

The state trooper left behind a wife and two children. Now they, along with other family and friends, will be left to mourn the man’s untimely loss. Pennsylvania State Patrol members and other officials will be feeling his loss as well. This tragic death marks the 94th loss of a State Patrol member killed while on duty.

A fatal truck accident like this one can leave emotional scars as deeply as it can leave physical ones. In such cases, family members may elect to file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to seek financial recompense for the loss of a loved one’s life. Such restitution can make it easier on children left behind without both parents to support them, or help cover the final funeral costs that a family might not be prepared to pay. If the family moves forward with a civil lawsuit, Pennsylvania law requires proof of negligence that caused or contributed to a fatality before any monetary award may be considered.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “State trooper dies in Beaver County crash,” Moriah Balingit and Torsten Ove, Oct. 4, 2012