SCHUYLKILL COUNTY — Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr., 44, was killed on July 1, 2026, during a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County. Trooper Pahira was inspecting a semitruck on the side of the highway at approximately 7 a.m. when a second truck veered off the road.

Michael Bon, 33, was driving the second truck when it struck Trooper Pahira's side mirror before crashing into the truck being inspected. The impact resulted in both truck cabs catching fire. Construction workers nearby observed smoke from the wreck and assisted in removing Trooper Pahira from the scene. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Bon was also injured in the crash and taken to a hospital.

Bon faces charges of homicide by vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless driving. He was arraigned on $700,000 bail. The Department of Homeland Security lodged an immigration detainer against Bon, who is a native of Haiti.

Bon entered the U.S. through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in July 2024 as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection parolee. He filed for Temporary Protected Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in October 2024, but this application was denied. The Department of Homeland Security terminated Bon's parole in June 2025 and issued a notice for him to leave the country in the same month. Despite this, Bon remained in the U.S. and resided in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Bon obtained a non-domiciled commercial driver's license from Massachusetts. He first applied for this license in March 2025. At the time of his initial application, Bon was eligible to work in the U.S. under federal law. His commercial driver's license was renewed in February 2026.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles stated, "The non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses program is a federal program." The spokesperson added, "This individual was ruled eligible based on the Trump administration database and allowed to drive by federal law and Trump administration policies." The spokesperson said, "This defendant should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro commented on the incident. "Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira Jr.'s death is a horrific and terrible tragedy. We mourn him and our thoughts are with his loved ones and fellow troopers," he said. Shapiro reported, "I spent time with Mike's parents, Patti and Mike, his sister, Jen, and some of his friends and fellow troopers."

Shapiro shared details about Trooper Pahira. "They told me about Mike — about how great a man he was, about his high school wrestling record, his love of cooking, and his commitment to caring for his mother as she battles cancer," Shapiro said. He added, "Just in the last few days, helped her shave her head as she is going through her treatments." The governor said, "Trooper Pahira was the very best of us — Lori and I are praying for the PA State Police family and our local law enforcement partners after losing another one of their own."

Trooper Michael Pahira, Jr. enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 2007.