George Kopena ‘Demands Justice’ After Wife Diane Struck Dead

After his wife, Diane Kopena, a cherished community volunteer and native of New Jersey, was killed in a Lansdale crosswalk, a Pennsylvania man is calling for criminal charges to be brought against her. Only traffic infractions have been cited against the driver who struck her.

George Kopena and Diane

The funeral for Diane Kopena

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Days after being struck on April 24 at the intersection of Columbia Avenue and Richardson Avenue, Diane, 71, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The Lansdale police clarified on Friday, June 13, that the driver was not being careless or speeding and will not be charged with a crime. The driver received a citation for turning improperly, not following the required turning positions, and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The motorist did not aid at the site, according to the police report that Diane’s husband, George Kopena, was able to get. The man who killed my wife shouldn’t be made into a hero, he added. There will be no charges against Matthew Salmon of Lansdale, Pennsylvania for my wife’s passing. I was advised in person by Lansdale Police that there was absolutely no criminal liability.

“The driver remained on scene, rendered aid, and called for help,” the police released to the media.

A Husband “Demands Justice”

George is urging the Mayor, the Borough Council, and the Lansdale Police Chief to take action. He also contacted the district attorney for Montgomery County.

George claims he is overwhelmed by the anguish.

Nevertheless, he claims that surprising sources of kindness have emerged.

However, financial burden has exacerbated emotional agony.

She Made People Feel Worthwhile

According to George, Diane was a kind, compassionate person who firmly believed in helping others. She assisted in planning the First Saturday Community Dinners at Lansdale Life Church and served on the leadership team at their Renew Community Church.

Diane would routinely check in with those she saw at Manna on Main Street. George remembered being stopped by a woman who said:

For George, however, this is about accountability as much as it is about paying tribute to her memory.

George claims that the helplessness of witnessing Diane’s death and being powerless to prevent it adds to his anguish.

A Life Of Compassion And Service

Diane grew up in New Hope, New Jersey, after being born in Trenton. She was a foster mom and special education teacher before joining Keystone Asset Management as a valuations specialist. In and out of religion, she was renowned for her dedication to others.

She and George made a public appeal for assistance in 2015 to prevent the foreclosure of their house. At the time, she wrote, “This has been the biggest challenge I have faced in my whole life.” About $3,000 more is required to get our taxes up to date. We probably wouldn’t have gotten this far without [your prayers and kind thoughts].

Friends organized a fundraiser. George referred to their home as “our home,” not just a house.

Lansdale Life Church hosted Diane’s funeral. In Titusville, New Jersey, she was laid to rest. Her family has requested that donations be directed to Manna on Main Street in Lansdale in her honor.

George, her brothers Brian and Jeffrey Thorpe, as well as their families, survive her.

At the time of publication, Daily Voice had not received a response to its request for more information on the case from the officials George contacted.