Madison Meeks – Opinion Editor

mvm7037@psu.edu

WEST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, P.A. – A fatal bicycle crash where a civilian was pronounced dead on the scene is being investigated by officials in Chester County. The crash involved a police vehicle and therefore is receiving a lot of media attention, despite the fact that no in depth details about the incident have been released. 

According to reports on 6ABC, the officer who hit the bicyclist was responding to another traffic call when he accidentally struck the bicyclist from behind. 

“I struck a pedestrian. Give me another unit now,” the officer reportedly stated over the police scanner. “I’m going to be northbound 202.” 

According to the Chester County District Attorney’s office, West Goshen police were called out to the scene of the motor vehicle crash to investigate. The motor vehicle crash occurred Feb. 10, 2023 at 10:16 a.m. on South High Street in the area near the Route 202 overpass.

After arriving at the scene, police discovered that the crash involved a police vehicle from the Westtown-East Goshen police department. Officials have stated that both the bicyclist and the car were traveling north at the time of the crash. It does not appear that the officer was trying to stop the cyclist at the time for any legal reason, but instead appears like they were simply traveling in the same direction at the time of the unfortunate accident. The officer did not have his lights or sirens on at the time of the incident. 

“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 Department. 

The bicyclist has been identified by the District Attorney’s office, as 75-year-old Michale Ghione of West Chester. Ghione was pronounced deceased by officials at the scene after life saving measures were attempted. Police have stated Ghione lived in West Chester. 

The officer that was involved in the fatal crash has not been identified or charged yet from the accident. The officer’s name likely will not become public knowledge unless there is some kind of fault placed on him or charges filed in relation to the incident. 

The district attorney of Chester County Deb Ryan has stated “This is a heartbreaking incident resulting in a tragic death. We send our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Ghione. We are conducting a thorough investigation of the crash.” 

The District Attorney’s office in Chester County is also involved in investigating the incident. The officer’s name is not released nor has he been charged, though he was placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted. 

“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,” stated Chief Carroll.