Mahanoy Township, PA (July 4, 2026) – A 62-year-old Shenandoah man died after a driver crossed into the oncoming lane and struck his motorcycle head-on along Route 54 in Mahanoy Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville.
Troopers said the crash happened around 7:54 p.m. on July 4 near Suffolk Road. John F. Coleman, 62, of Shenandoah, was riding a 2021 Royal Enfield motorcycle eastbound when a westbound 2016 Subaru Legacy crossed into his lane and hit him head-on. Coleman was ejected from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet, police said, and died from his injuries at the scene.
Investigators said the Subaru continued forward after the impact and struck a trailing unit towed by another vehicle traveling ahead of it. That vehicle sustained only minor damage.
Police identified the driver of the Subaru as Dalilah Trygar, 31, of Mahanoy City. Troopers said Trygar showed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and the odor of alcohol on her breath, and told them she had consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel. She was taken for a blood draw following the crash.
Trygar was arraigned the next morning on homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, DUI, and related summary offenses. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16, 2026.
A driver’s choice to get behind the wheel impaired took a father and a friend off Route 54 in seconds, and left a family carrying grief that comes with real questions about accountability.
Yes. A criminal DUI homicide case and a civil wrongful death claim run on separate tracks under Pennsylvania law. The family doesn’t have to wait for Trygar’s criminal case to conclude before filing.
Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301, a wrongful death claim covers funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship for the family. A related survival action under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8302 recovers for Coleman’s estate, including his pain and suffering before he died.
A DUI charge and any resulting conviction become strong evidence of negligence in a civil claim. Families don’t need a conviction in hand to hold a driver financially responsible.
Pennsylvania gives surviving family two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301. For this case, that deadline is July 4, 2028.
Losing someone to a driver who chose to drive impaired carries a particular kind of anger alongside the grief, and a family in that position deserves straight answers, not a runaround from an insurance adjuster.
Our Wilkes-Barre wrongful death attorneys have handled Northeastern Pennsylvania cases built on the same kind of evidence a fatal motorcycle crash demands, including a $2.2 million tractor-trailer settlement and a $1.8 million work truck injury settlement.
Police reports, toxicology results, and any dashcam or intersection footage from Route 54 should be requested and preserved now, before a criminal case narrows what becomes public record.
We work on contingency. There’s no cost to talk with us, and nothing owed unless we recover for your family.
Why Northeastern Pennsylvania families trust Scartelli Olszewski:
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is unique, and the value of any claim depends on its specific facts.
Call (570) 822-1400 to Talk With a Wilkes-Barre Wrongful Death Attorney
Do You Have A Case? Call Us At 570-346-2600Disclaimer: The information in this news post is based on reliable sources, including local news reports, statements from the Pennsylvania State Police, and online resources. The image used is for illustration only and does not depict the incident. Nothing in this post is intended as an accusation of wrongdoing against any person or business; all incidents described are subject to ongoing investigation. This post is not a solicitation and is not legal or medical advice. If you locate inaccurate information or would like a post removed, contact our team and we will address it promptly.
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