Investigators are gathering evidence to piece together the accident that took the life of a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper.
The accident happened around 6:15 p.m. Thursday in Wolf Creek Township in Mercer County.
Pennsylvania state police said Billy Ray Williams, 65, of Erie, was traveling east-bound on Interstate 80 when his car broke down in the right lane near the Grove City exit.
Williams was attempting to cross the road in front of his vehicle when he was struck. Williams, who was a retired trooper from the Mercer state police barracks, was transported to Grove City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Police have spoken to one witness who said that Williams appeared to go from the front passenger's side of his car to the driver's side when he was struck. Reports verified that the impact took place in the left lane of travel.
"Mr. Williams was struck by a truck tractor and knocked back into the right lane," said Lt. Kirt Snyder, Pennsylvania State Police. "The witness observed the truck tractor that struck Mr. Williams continue to travel east on State Route 80."
At this point, there is no description of the vehicle. Investigators said they are now trying to figure out why Williams could not pull over on the shoulder, and they are trying to find the driver of the truck in question.
"At this time, we just know it was a truck tractor and we're following up some possible leads at this time," Snyder said. "I can't divulge more than that right now because it would be speculation."
State police said one lane of traffic at the crash scene was blocked for more than 5 hours. Troopers are still trying to determine whether or not the driver knew he hit someone.
Anyone with any information on the accident is urged to contact Pennsylvania State Police at 724-662-6162.
