Pennsylvania State Police trooper killed in crash along Interstate 81

CASS TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Wednesday morning in Schuylkill County.

Tpr. Michael Pahira Jr. was struck while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection around 7 a.m. along Interstate 81 in Cass Township.

According to state police, a passing commercial vehicle hit Pahira while he was conducting the inspection.

That vehicle then collided with the vehicle that was being inspected and caught fire.

The driver of the striking vehicle was being treated at an area hospital. There was no immediate word on whether the driver would be charged.

Pahira was assigned to Troop L, Frackville and had been with the state police for 20 years.