** Pennsylvania paramedic hit and killed at MVA scene Sunday
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Pennsylvania paramedic is dead after being hit at an MVA scene early Sunday. That is the word from The Tribune (Paul Pierce/January 5) which said the I-70 accident near the Smithton exit claimed the life of paramedic supervisor Matt C. Smelser, 44 around 5:30 a.m. According to the newspaper, Smelser, who was with Rostraver-West Newton EMS, was hit by a tractor-trailer upon alighting from the ambulance. A co-worker of Smelser said he was very safety conscious at accident scenes and was a very good paramedic who cared about patient outcomes. Although authorities have not yet determined a cause for the accident, icy road conditions are believed to have played a role. Police continue to investigate. Funeral services are pending.
