Allegheny County Police Officer Dies Following Motorcycle Crash
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The local law enforcement community is mourning after an Allegheny County police sergeant died from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident early Saturday morning in Westmoreland County.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the officer as 44-year-old Perry Vahaly of Clairton.
Sgt. Vahaly was a 17-year veteran of the Allegheny County Police Department, a statement from Allegheny County Executive's Office reports.
"He was well-liked and well-respected by his fellow officers," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. "He was one of those folks that was willing to pitch in and really do any duty that was needed from narcotics detail to SWAT team to whatever was needed."
According to the Medical Examiner's Office, the accident happened just after 12:40 a.m. Saturday in the 4800-block of State Route 51 in Rostraver Township. He wasn't on duty at the time.
The Medical Examiner's Office reports Vahaly was riding a motorcycle when a deer ran out in the road. The motorcycle reportedly struck the deer and Vahaly lost control of the bike. Authorities say he wasn't wearing a helmet.
A passerby found him lying on the road, officials said.
Vahaly died just after 10 p.m. Saturday night at Allegheny General Hospital from blunt force trauma, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.
At Allegheny County police headquarters, a flag flew at half-staff Sunday in Vahaly's honor.
He is being remembered as a wonderful police officer, the ultimate team player, a husband and a father to six children.
Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald's full statement reads:
"On behalf of the nearly 1.3 million residents of Allegheny County, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sgt. Vahaly who died yesterday following injuries sustained in an accident. A 17-year veteran of the Allegheny County Police Department, Sgt. Vahaly was most recently assigned to South Park and had previously served as a narcotics officer. We are grateful for his service to Allegheny County. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and six children as they struggle with this loss."
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