Most would likely agree that Pennsylvania law enforcement officers should be thanked because they routinely put their lives on the line in an effort to make things safer for citizens of the state. While along with the danger they undertake, the position provides them with a power that others do not have, most would likely also agree the power should not be misused.

The family of a woman who died after being involved in an accident with a PennDOT truck is currently dealing with that feeling. They are upset that a now retired state police trooper gave the driver of that PennDOT truck only a traffic ticket. They believe that the driver should have been charged with manslaughter.

The ticket only was issued without a consultation with either the people above him in the chain of command or the DA. This was reportedly the last thing the trooper did before he retired.

The fatal accident occurred in August of last year near the intersection of Route 11 and Route 15. According to the police, the PennDOT vehicle ran into the car the woman was driving as it made a U-turn. The 43-year-old woman was not the only occupant of the vehicle. Her daughter was with her at the time. Though she sustained serious injuries, she survived the accident.

Because of laws regarding double jeopardy it is doubtful that the driver of the PennDOT vehicle will face any criminal charges. The woman's family has already filed a civil lawsuit against the man's employer however.

Source: WGAL, "Attorney: Family 'Shocked' By Charges In Fatal Crash," Feb. 7, 2012