State Trooper Killed In Beaver County Crash Identified
SOUTH BEAVER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- The State Police Commissioner has released the identity of the state trooper who was killed Thursday morning in a two-vehicle accident in Beaver County.
The crash happened just after 10 a.m. at Route 168 and Blackhawk Road in South Beaver Township.
According to a statement from State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan, Trooper First Class Blake T. Coble, 48, died from his injuries at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital.
State Police confirm Trooper Coble was three months from retirement.
Read the State Police Commissioner's full statement here.
Investigators say the driver of the tractor trailer hauling an empty flatbed, Gregory Golkosky, 47, of Mt. Pleasant, apparently went through a stop sign and plowed into the trooper's cruiser.
"In my opinion, the intersection's posted properly," State Police Lt. Eric Herrick said. "The route the truck was traveling on which is 168, does have a preemptive sign indicating 'Stop Ahead' and then it has a clearly posted sign at the intersection other than him negating the stop sign - not seeing it or being distracted and going in the intersection, not hearing the police car."
Trooper Coble has been with the Pennsylvania State Police since 1988, according to the statement. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Beaver County District Attorney Anthony Berosh says Coble once worked narcotics details.
No charges have been so far in the case, but investigators say he may have run a stop sign.
Trooper Coble is the 94th member of the state police to be killed in the line of duty.
Governor Tom Corbett has ordered state flags to fly at half-staff at the Capitol Complex and in Beaver County in honor of Trooper Coble.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
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