Bicyclist killed after being struck by police vehicle in West Goshen Twp. identified

WEST GOSHEN TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A police officer hit and killed a bicyclist in Chester County Sunday while responding to another traffic call, according to investigators.

Police say 75-year-old Michael Thomas Ghione was riding his bike when a Westtown East Goshen Regional Police Officer hit him from behind. Ghione was pronounced dead on the scene.

"I struck a pedestrian. Give me another unit now," the officer said over the police scanner. "I'm going to be northbound 202."

Investigators say it happened at 10:15 a.m. Sunday on South High Street underneath the 202 overpass. Police say both the Westtown East Goshen Regional police officer and Ghione were traveling the same way. The officer did not have his lights or sirens on, and police say he hit the Ghione, who was biking.

"The victim on the bicycle was pronounced dead at the scene. They tried lifesaving measures but were unable to save him," said Chief Michael Carroll from West Goshen Township Police, the investigating agency.

While a Westtown East Goshen officer is the one who hit the victim, the accident happened over township lines, in West Goshen Township.

Police say Ghione lived in West Chester.

"I did not expect it to be a police officer. That shocked me," said Genevieve Filippo, who lives near where the accident happened.

Neighbors who live along the busy road say what's not surprising is that a deadly accident would happen there.

"I like walking and I don't feel safe," said Edwin Mayer. "There's speed limits here that go from 45 to 40 to 25 into the borough and there's no enforcement really."

They hope this will spark change.

"It's a huge tragedy. Not only did someone lose their life in a traffic accident but it involved a police department, an officer who works every day to protect the public," said Carroll.

The Chester County District Attorney's office is also involved in the investigation. The officer has not been charged at this point but is currently on administrative leave.