Lawyers for the family of a Pennsylvania state trooper struck and killed on Interstate 81 this summer filed a federal civil suit Wednesday against a truck driver and two transportation companies in connection with his death.
The suit alleges "that the defendants' negligence, reckless disregard for federal safety regulations and failure to vet and supervise drivers led directly to the tragic death of Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira Jr.," a release from the Morgan & Morgan law firm said.
Michael Bon, 34, a Haitian national who was living in Brockton, Mass., faces homicide by vehicle and other criminal charges in connection with the July 1 crash.
The civil suit, filed in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, names Bon as a defendant as well as Alabama-based Augustin Freight Services, a commercial motor carrier, and Texas-based SNK Logistics, a freight broker.
It was filed on behalf of Patricia Pahira, the trooper's mother and administrator of his estate.
“A family and community have lost a beloved son, uncle, and friend in Michael Pahira Jr., a valued public servant who dedicated his career to keeping roads safe for our families,” Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Clancy Boylan said in a release issued Wednesday.
Pahira, 44, a 20-year veteran of the force, was assigned to PSP's Frackville barracks as a motor carrier inspector. He was struck and killed as he was inspecting a tractor-trailer on the right shoulder of the interstate in Butler Township at about 7 a.m., state police said.
Bon is accused of losing control, crashing his rig into two other vehicles and Pahira.
"Federal regulations require carriers to certify compliance with driver qualification standards, but those certifications are meaningless unless the companies enforce them," the lawyers said.
"Critically, SNK Logistics chose to hire AFS despite allegedly having knowledge of, or reasonable access to, AFS's safety issues through publicly available information. When companies prioritize profits over people, those decisions can lead to fatal consequences,” the attorneys added.
U.S. Department of Transportation information about Augustin's safety record can be found here. DOT information about SNK's record can be found here.
Abdias Augustin, who identified himself as co-owner of the company during a phone call, told WVIA News his company is seeking an attorney and declined further comment.
A person who answered the phone at SNK Logistics hung up when a reporter called seeking comment.
Bon's defense attorney, John Waldron, said he had not yet seen the suit when contacted Wednesday afternoon.
A magisterial district judge in Schuylkill County on Aug. 26 ruled that the criminal case against Bon could move to county court.
This breaking news story will be updated.
TIMELINE: KEY DATES
● July 2, 2024: U.S. Customs and Border Protection admits Bon at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as what is called a parolee.
● Oct. 26, 2024: Bon files an Application for Temporary Protected Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Biden administration. That status was never granted.
● March, 2025: Bon applies for a non-domiciled CDL and is approved in accordance with federal law, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) says.
● June 13, 2025: USCIS issues Bon a notice of termination of parole. He remains in the U.S. illegally.
● February 2026: Bon applies for CDL renewal. It was approved in accordance with federal law, RMV says.
● March 16, 2026: A Trump Administration final rule directs states not to renew or issue new non-domiciled CDLs.
● July 1, 2026: Police say Bon is driving the truck that crashes in I-81, killing Pa. State Trooper Michael Pahira Jr.
● July 2, 2026: ICE lodges an immigration detainer against Bon.
● July 13, 2026: Defense attorney John Waldron tells WVIA News he is focusing on whether Bon suffered from an untreated medical condition that could have caused him to lose control.
● Aug. 26, 2026: A magisterial district judge in Schuylkill County rules that the case against Bon could move to county court.
● Sept. 2, 2026: Lawyers representing Pahira's family announce a civil lawsuit.
