Paramedic killed in I-70 crash
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
A local paramedic was killed early Sunday morning while responding to the scene of an accident on I-70.
Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services Paramedic Supervisor Matthew Smelser, 44, of Carroll Township was struck by a tractor-trailer rig after he got out of his ambulance to tend to a victim west of the Smithton exit.
Smelser worked at RWNES for 24 years and spent at least 20 of those years as a supervisor.
“He was one of these guys who demanded perfection, especially from his crews,” said Greg Cominsky, RWNES business office manager. “He demanded that our patients get the best care.”
Cominsky said he has known Smelser since he was 14 years old.
“I just have no words. I’m just numb,” Cominsky said. “We can’t replace him. You just can’t.”
Cominsky said Smelser was the type of person who would take on a project and make it perfect — to the point of going over the top with it. And that had a great impact on others.
“Other people see that and they try to emulate that,” Cominsky said. “He was in charge of our equipment and we have some of the best equipment in the industry because he researches. He was very vigilant, weighing pros and cons.”
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