Local Paramedic On A Personal Mission To Save Lives

January 20, 2020 11:54 am

PITTSBURGH (WPXI) – A local paramedic is on a personal mission after his friend and co-worker died while on the job. Michael Bedner is asking people to sign an online petition to raise awareness and increase protections for first responders when they’re called to scenes along roads. Bedner’s friend, 43-year old Matt Smelser, was hit and killed while responding to a crash on Interstate 70 on Jan. 5th. Bedner wants to see more advanced warning at crash scenes to give drivers more time to react. He also wants lawmakers to expand their definition of “move over and slow down” and increase fines for people who speed through emergency scenes or work zones.