Pa. officer killed, K-9 injured in crash
LIGONIER — A police officer and father of six was killed in a head-on crash with a work van that was traveling the wrong way, police said.
Lt. Eric Eslary’s patrol SUV collided with the van about 2 a.m. on U.S. Route 30 in Ligonier.
Eslary was a 17-year veteran of the Ligonier Township Police Department and often worked the overnight shift with his K-9 partner Blek, a German shepherd. Blek was also injured in the crash and had to be coaxed away from his partner’s body by Eslary’s wife, who came to the scene. The dog had refused to leave Eslary’s side, township Police Chief Michael Matrunics said.
“It’s a loss for the entire community,” Matrunics said.
Blek was taken to a Monroeville veterinary hospital for surgery.
The two men in the van were taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. The driver, Clair Fink III, 31, of Ligonier, was listed in serious condition while his passenger, Derek Gifford, 21, of Greensburg, was in fair condition, according to a hospital spokesman.
