Truck Driver Charged in October Death of Turnpike Worker

A West Conshohocken man is facing vehicular homocide charges after police say he was responsible for the death of a Pennsylvania Turnpike worker last October.

In a report released Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police say Benjamin Joseph Kane, 34, was driving a tractor-trailer east on the turnpike near mile marker 331.6 on the morning of Oct. 22, when he left the roadway, striking a turnpike maintenance vehicle located in an active work zone. That vehicle was propelled forward, striking and killing worker Michael San Felice, who was performing maintenance work on foot. The driver of the maintenance vehicle suffered moderate injuries, while a passenger in Kane's truck suffered a "traumatic amputation," the report said.

Kane's driver's license was under suspension at the time of the accident, police said.

Kane was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving death while not properly licensed, and related charges. He was arraigned before magisterial justice Katherine McGill, who set bail at $100,000 and ordered Kane to surrender his license. He is next scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan.10 at 11 a.m.

San Felice, a 66-year-old West Norriton resident at the time of his death, was a 12-year turnpike employee. He was also a U.S. Army veteran, where he served in the Vietnam War and earned several medals. He was survived by a wife of 43 years, two daughters, and three grandchildren.