Pennsylvania Police Officer Killed During Pursuit

A part-time Perryopolis police officer was killed Sunday afternoon in a fiery two-vehicle crash on Route 51 in neighboring Perry Township when a Uniontown man crossed in front of his cruiser, police said.

Richard Anthony Champion, 35, of Ligonier Township, perished during a high-speed chase when his police cruiser, which had its lights and sirens activated, collided with a sport utility vehicle in the southbound lanes of Route 51, just south of Perryopolis, borough police Capt. Steven Kontaxes said.

The officer's car burst into flames and customers at the Big Barn Country Store & Deli ran to the accident scene with fire extinguishers, Fayette County Coroner Phillip Reilly said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:15 p.m. by Fayette Deputy Coroner John Kondrla, Reilly said.

Andrew Bohatch, 59, of Uniontown, was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment of what police described as major injuries. He was in critical condition Sunday night.

State police said in a news release that Bohatch was traveling north in a Chevrolet Trailblazer on Route 51 and Champion was heading south. He was pursuing a speeding vehicle, Kontaxes said.

“(Champion) was doing everything by the book,” he said.

Bohatch turned left in front of Champion at Big Barn Country Store, state police said.

Champion swerved in an attempt to avoid the collision on a straight stretch of the four-lane highway, but was unsuccessful.

After the vehicles collided, Champion's cruiser left the road and struck a business sign. The car burst into flames, which were extinguished by responding firefighters, said A.J. Boni, Perry Township assistant fire chief.

Champion had been a part-time officer at Perryopolis since March, Kontaxes said. He had worked in Derry Borough earlier this year.

“We are all deeply saddened. He was an excellent officer. He was a 100 percent dedicated officer. He loved his work and was genuinely concerned about the community,” Kontaxes said.

“He was out doing his job, keeping people safe, and he made the ultimate sacrifice,” Kontaxes added.

Champion leaves behind his wife, Dawn, and a 16-month-old son, Kontaxes said. Champion had been a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, according to his 2009 marriage license filed in Westmoreland County.

A person at the family's home declined to comment.

“Our heart goes out to the family, and it is a definite tragedy,” said state police Lt. Jeff Fisher, who is based at the Uniontown barracks.

An autopsy to determine the cause of death and toxicology tests will be conducted Monday, Reilly said.

Route 51 was closed in both directions for most of the afternoon. Traffic was rerouted on secondary roads.

Tribune News Service