Gov. Wolf orders state flags at half-staff to honor Rostraver West Newton paramedic killed Sunday

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag to be flown at half-staff Monday to honor Matthew Smelser, the Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services paramedic who was killed Sunday while responding to a crash on Interstate 70.

Smelser, a 44-year-old paramedic supervisor from Charleroi, died when he was struck by a truck while exiting his ambulance to attend to victims of a crash near the Smithton exit.

“Matthew Smelser’s death is a tragic reminder of the risk taken by emergency personnel across the state each day to rescue Pennsylvanians in distress,” Wolf said. “We need to do our part to exercise caution while traveling, especially during winter weather or when approaching the scene of an accident.”

Wolf asked all Pennsylvanians to participate in this tribute. The flag should remain at half-staff until sunset Monday and on the day of interment, which has not yet been announced. The U.S. flag is to remain at full staff.