Police officers provide a valuable service to all residents of Western Pennsylvania. Each day they put the needs of those who live in the state ahead of their own in an effort to maintain the peace and safety. While many times they accomplish the tasks associated with their occupation without any mishaps, in other instances accidents occur. In the worst cases these work accidents are fatal.

Sadly a Shenago Township police officer was killed when the vehicle in which he was a passenger was struck by a woman driving erratically in New Castle. The accident occurred after dark one night earlier this month. At the time of the crash, police were reportedly pursing the woman in the vehicle. In addition to her driving the vehicle in a manner described as erratic, police were also aware that her license had been suspended.

The police cruiser the woman struck was not the one pursuing her vehicle. Instead, it was positioned near the intersection of cascade Street and Warren Avenue.

The force of the impact injured both of the officers in the cruiser which resulted in them being transported to area hospitals. While one of the officers was released a couple days later, the other's injuries were too severe and he died.

The woman who was driving the car was injured as well. Her condition is not known. She is apparently able to talk as she reportedly told police officers that she had been fleeing the police because her license had been suspended. While there is a certain amount of danger associated with being a police officer no one expects that their loved one will die in the course of his or her work.

When it does happen, many are unclear on how to proceed. Some find that the best way is to seek monetary compensation via a wrongful death lawsuit.

Source: WPXI, "Driver involved in fatal officer crash: 'I did something stupid'," May 3, 2013