Tow-truck driver credited with saving life of Butler trooper hit on Parkway West
A tow-truck driver saved an off-duty state trooper from Butler by pulling the trooper off the road after he’d been struck by a vehicle last week on Parkway West in Allegheny County.
The injured trooper, Josh Osche, was off-duty, but stopped when he came upon a crash just after midnight Thursday, Aug. 24. He was identified Wednesday, Aug. 30.
He works from Troop D, Butler, in criminal investigation and is the son of Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche and her husband, Jim.
“I keep reiterating that the tow-truck driver is the hero in the story,” Leslie Osche said. “Had he not done that, (Josh) wouldn’t be here today.”
Police reports identify the tow-truck driver as Blair Johnson.
According to Leslie Osche, her son is still in the hospital recovering, and is expected to undergo surgery.
“It’s going to be a long road,” she said. “But he is very tough and very determined.”
According to Lt. Adam Reed, a spokesperson for state police out of the Harrisburg office, Josh Osche stopped to assist at a crash scene when he was struck.
“He stopped to help, he came upon (the crash),” Reed said. “Just like we naturally do, he stopped to assist.”
Though off-duty, Leslie Osche said Josh Osche put on a reflective vest, called 911, and was setting out flares along the roadside when he was hit.
“He knew he was in a bad situation and tried to drag himself to the side of the road,” she said.
The tow-truck driver, who had stopped further up the road after being involved in the initial crash, pulled Josh Osche to safety. Police said the tow-truck had been struck by a Subaru Impreza. The driver of the Impreza fled the scene on foot, according to police.
Once on the side of the road, Leslie Osche said Josh Osche realized he still had his phone, and called in his own crash report, requesting an ambulance for himself.
“He called in the first accident, then when he was hit; he called in his own accident,” she said. “He was going through the motions.”
Josh Osche suffered injuries to both of his legs, according to his mother. She said her family was grateful for the support they have received.
“I can’t say enough about the family of state police and the community support for us and him,” she said. “Only by the grace of God through that truck driver is he here today.”
The crash is still under investigation. According to Reed, charges were not filed against the driver who is allegedly responsible for the pedestrian crash.
This story was updated Aug. 31, 2023 to reflect that the driver involved in the pedestrian crash is not facing charges. A previous version of this story cited Reed as saying charges were pending.
