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West Goshen Township Supervisor Fatally Struck By Vehicle Outside ShopRite

WEST GOSHEN Twp., Pa. (CBS) -- A man struck by a pick-up truck outside of a West Goshen Township ShopRite has died, according to officials.

The victim has been identified as Dr. Robert S. White. He was a West Goshen Township Supervisor.

"He was just a terrific individual," a neighbor said.

He was known as Bob by his neighbors and those in town who are remembering all he did -- and not the tragic way he died.

"It sounded like a horrible car crash. And as soon as we saw the building down basically we ran over. Saw him laying, like his feet were on the sidewalk still, and his body was still through the wall," eyewitness Alison Liebsch said.

Around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday Dr. White had gone to ShopRite on the 1100 block of West Chester Pike on his lunch break to pick up a few things for his wife when a woman driving a pick-up struck and killed him while backing up.

"When he was coming out of the store a female operator of a pick-up truck came through the parking lot in reverse, striking him and then going through the store wall," Capt. Gregory Stone of West Goshen Police said.

"It's just sad. He was just going to go food shopping. Even the girl who was involved," Liebsch said, "She was screaming. She was a mess."

The West Goshen Town Supervisor had served the town since the 1980s, first as planner. In 1992 he was elected Supervisor. A town dentist for four decades, he's in practice with his son on the other side of the ShopRite parking lot, always involved with the town's finances and building projects. He was also veteran of the United States Navy.

Neighbors who would catch up on town business when they'd see him on a nightly walk with his wife can't believe he's gone.

"We feel that it is going to be a big loss here. He really cared," a neighbor said.

West Goshen Township Manager, Casey LaLonde, says "Dr. White always West Goshen's interests at heart."

A Supervisors meeting supposed to be held tonight has been canceled.

Dr. White leaves behind a wife and two sons.

Police say the driver of the pick-up is fully cooperating with their investigation.

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