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Pa. EMS assistant operations director suspended, arrested after hit-and-run

The Fayette County EMS assistant director of operations fled the scene and was arrested at home

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police say the Fayette EMS assistant operations director was taken into custody following a hit-and-run that seriously injured one person.

Troopers responded around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 16 to East End Road and Memorial Boulevard in Bullskin Township for a multi-vehicle crash, WTAE reported. Two vehicles were stopped in a left-turn lane on Memorial Boulevard when a third vehicle, driven by 46-year-old Matthew McKnight, entered at high speed and struck one of the vehicles, pushing it into the other.

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McKnight fled the scene and was found at his nearby home. His vehicle had front-end damage consistent with the crash, and he was taken into custody.

Police said McKnight was driving under the influence, CBS Pittsburgh reported.

The chief of Fayette County EMS told WTAE that McKnight was immediately suspended as a result of the incident.

“We have an expectation,” Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele said in a statement. “That does not reflect on any other emergency responder, police officer, firefighter, EMS person in this county that does a remarkable job every single day. This is an isolated incident. We will prosecute this matter to the fullest extent of the law.”

McKnight is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in late August.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.