Trooper killed after patrol vehicle, garbage truck collide
LIGONIER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police say a trooper was killed when his police cruiser collided with a garbage truck early Friday morning in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County.
According to state police spokesman Trooper Stephen Limani, Trooper Michael P. Stewart was on routine patrol with his partner when the crash happened.
"Obviously, we lost one of our members at our station here, so our station is grieving, as well as many of the people in the department," Trooper Limani told CBS Pittsburgh. "Since Trooper Stewart was local, obviously, his family is grieving as well."
A preliminary investigation revealed the crash occurred just before 2:30 a.m. as the garbage truck pulled out of a parking lot, trying to make a left turn.
Stewart, 26, of Latrobe, suffered major injuries and died at the scene. The coroner's office says he died of blunt force trauma to the head and ruled his death accidental.
His partner, Trooper Travis November, was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. His condition is not being released at this time, but authorities say he was suffering from hip pain, a concussion and possible pelvis injuries.
The driver of the garbage truck, identified by state police as 26-year-old John Hissem, was not hurt in the crash. He is fully cooperating in the investigation.
Flags have been lowered to half-staff at the state police barracks in Greensburg as Stewart's coworkers try to cope with the loss.
"I was asked earlier if he has some relatives, and he does have a brother, but he's got 4,000-plus brothers and sisters that are going to miss him. I grieve for his family. We as a whole grieve for his family," Trooper Limani said.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of the entire department, are with the family of Trooper Stewart during this difficult time," Commissioner Col. Tyree C. Blocker said in a written statement. "Trooper Stewart served the Commonwealth honorably, and we join all Pennsylvanians to mourn his passing."
Stewart joined the state police in January of 2014 and graduated with the 138th cadet class. He was assigned to the Greensburg barracks in August of 2015. Before that, he worked at the barracks in Chambersburg for a year before coming home to Westmoreland County.
Limani said the fallen trooper would have celebrated his 27th birthday next week. He is described as an avid outdoorsman.
"He was a big man with an even bigger heart and a bigger personality that went with it," Limani said. "He was extremely fun to be around, very charismatic, and pretty much, he touched everybody that got to enjoy his company."
The last trooper from the barracks that died in the line of duty was in 1992. Friday's loss has hit them hard as they try to investigate the crash.
"We're doing a full-blown investigation when it comes to reconstruction of the scene," said Limani. "The vehicles have been taken. The garbage truck was taken by our motor carrier enforcement team and it's going to have an inspection. Our police cruiser has been taken back to our impound lot where it's going to have a complete inspection of the vehicle to see what condition it is in."
State police are working with Stewart's family on funeral and memorial arrangements.
