Officer Charged In Fatal Bicycle Crash In Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA —Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Officer Jason S. Listmeier was arrested on traffic violations in connection with hitting and killing a 75-year-old bicyclist on Feb. 19 in West Goshen Township, according to the district attorney's office.

Listmeier, 24, of Downingtown was arraigned before District Judge Martin G. Goch on charges of careless driving-unintentional death, passing a cyclist, and other summary charges in the death of Michael T. Ghione of West Chester.

The investigation disclosed the cyclist was riding north on South High Street in the area of the Route 202 overpass when the cyclist was struck by a police vehicle also driving north on the 900 block of South High Street.

Investigators said Listmeier hit the victim from behind when driving 55 mph in a 45 mph zone.

District Attorney Deb Ryan described the incident as "a tragic incident that deeply affects many people."

"While in the course of his duties, the officer responded to the report of an erratic driver but engaged in careless driving, causing him to strike a guardrail and then strike and kill Mr. Ghione," Ryan said.

Ryan said that although law enforcement officers are expected to respond urgently to assist others, they still must adhere to our traffic laws to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

According to the investigation by Chester County detectives and West Goshen police:

At approximately 10:16 a.m., West Goshen Police received information about a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist.

The officer rendered aid to Ghione, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the Chester County coroner's office.