Fatal Crash Exposes Flaws in Highway Safety and Immigration Enforcement

The tragic incident involving the death of a Pennsylvania state trooper is raising questions about the intersection of highway safety and immigration laws. According to the author of Pennsylvania’s transfer law, this case highlights significant flaws in the system.

Michael Bong, a 33-year-old Haitian national who entered the U.S. under a prior administration’s mass parole program, was arrested after his truck crashed into Trooper Michael Pahira Jr. on Interstate 81. The Department of Homeland Security provided this information.

State Senator Doug Mastriano, representing a district where heavy truck traffic is common, indicated that the law was intended to prevent such incidents, which frequently occur in or near his area.

Mastriano pointed out that Bong’s immigration status rendered the tragedy even more avoidable.

He recalled how his transfer law came into existence in 2019, shortly after being elected. “I spoke with Tom Bricker, a tow truck operator from Chambersburg, who shared his many close calls and the unfortunate stories of fellow drivers who’ve been injured or killed,” Mastriano noted. This was particularly concerning given the high traffic on Route 81.

After Bricker’s advocacy, tow truck driver Tyler Loudenslager was killed on Interstate 81, which led to the introduction of the relocation bill by the then-Democratic governor, signed into law by Tom Wolf.

As a result, Pennsylvania drivers now must either move over for emergency vehicles or slow down. Unfortunately, reports claim that Bong did neither before crashing into Pahira’s vehicle.

“If the federal government had enforced its own laws to protect our borders and ensured that only legally present individuals were operating on our roads, Officer Michael would still be alive today,” Mastriano asserted, linking his legislative efforts to immigration policy.

Another bill of Mastriano’s, approved in 2022, permits tow trucks to use blue lights from police to warn drivers when they are stopped. The idea emerged after discussions with Bricker and other tow truck drivers regarding similar practices in other states.

Mastriano mentioned that Bong lived in Brockton, Massachusetts, and possessed a commercial driver’s license from the Bay State. He was inspecting another vehicle when he swerved and hit Pahira.

Both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are facing lawsuits over CDLs issued to unauthorized immigrants, but Mastriano claimed that each state has the right to regulate its auto policies.

Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration has previously criticized the Department of Homeland Security, which maintains the SAVE registry to verify the immigration status of noncitizens. The state Department of Transportation uses this database to check eligibility for licenses.

When asked about pointing fingers at the federal government, Mastriano held that the “blame” game should come to an end. “Governor Shapiro, please take action. You hold considerable power, so leverage it to ensure that individuals obtaining CDL licenses are legally present, speak the language, and can safely operate vehicles,” he urged.

Mastriano emphasized that accountability is crucial and highlighted that it’s inappropriate to blame the federal government for state-level issues. Both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania defended their licensing systems, stating they depend on the federal SAVE database to verify Bong’s eligibility.

Shapiro’s spokesperson indicated that all non-U.S. citizens must provide proof of legal presence when applying for a commercial license, verified through the SAVE database.

Mastriano noted that the federal government could take certain actions that respect federalism, although it could be complex. He recalled how, during the gasoline crisis in the 1970s, the federal government utilized highway funding to motivate states to comply with certain speed limits.

He suggested this method could also apply today. Additionally, he mentioned that improving highways based on military logistics could be beneficial, given the military facilities located along Interstate 81, such as Letterkenny Army Depot.

Finally, the situation is a reminder of the pressing need for thorough checks in licensing systems. “A lot of mistakes have happened, and it’s crucial to address these to prevent future tragedies,” Mastriano concluded.