WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and West Goshen Police Department today announced that Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Officer Jason Listmeier has been charged with careless driving-unintentional death, driving on roadways laned for traffic, and overtaking a vehicle on the left, after he struck and killed a bicyclist on February 19, 2023.
“This is 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,” said District Attorney Deb Ryan. “Although we expect law enforcement 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 Chester County District Attorney’s Office, on February 19, 2023, approximately at 10:16 a.m., West Goshen Police received information about a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist, later identified as Michael Ghione, 75, of West Chester.
After an investigation conducted by Chester County Detectives and the West Goshen Police Department, it was determined that Officer Listmeier was traveling north on South High Street in his marked patrol vehicle in response to a 911 call about an erratic driver on Route 202 heading southbound.
Police found that the officer was traveling approximately 50 MPH in a 45 MPH zone but lost control of the vehicle when he looked down at his work computer and struck a guardrail and then struck and killed Mr. Ghione.
The officer immediately rendered aid to M. Ghione, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was attributed to multiple blunt impact injuries.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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