CASS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Massachusetts man is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators say he crashed into and killed Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. while the trooper was conducting a commercial vehicle inspection along Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.
According to court documents, Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, has been charged with:
- Homicide by Vehicle
- Aggravated Assault by Vehicle
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP)
- Obedience to Traffic Control Device
- Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic – Prohibitions Against Changing Lanes
- Duty of Driver in Relation to an Emergency Response Area
- Careless Driving – Unintentional Death
- Reckless Driving
Court records show Bon was arraigned Wednesday evening and is being held at the Schuylkill County Prison after bail was set at $700,000. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 16.
The charges stem from Wednesday morning’s deadly crash on Interstate 81 South in Cass Township, where Trooper Pahira was conducting a Department of Transportation commercial vehicle inspection on the shoulder of the highway.
Investigators said another tractor-trailer left the travel lane and struck Trooper Pahira’s marked patrol vehicle before hitting the trooper and the commercial truck he was inspecting.
Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George Bivens said the tractor-trailer continued along the shoulder after leaving the roadway.
“As it continued along that left side, it struck the trooper who was standing near that truck and continued with the trooper under the truck for quite some distance down the road,” Bivens said.
Authorities said both tractor-trailers caught fire following the collision, with Trooper Pahira becoming trapped at the front of one of the vehicles.
The 20-year Pennsylvania State Police veteran was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite lifesaving efforts.
Governor Josh Shapiro ordered Commonwealth flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Trooper Pahira and praised the dedication of Pennsylvania’s law enforcement officers.
“These men and women put on this uniform every day and go out and do this work to keep us safe and sometimes they don’t come home,” the governor said.
Trooper Pahira was assigned to the Frackville Patrol Unit and had served with the Pennsylvania State Police for nearly two decades. His death has prompted an outpouring of support from law enforcement agencies, first responders, and community members across Pennsylvania.
The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.
