After a senseless crash in April killed a 37-year-old teacher and two of his 4-year-old triplets, Western Pennsylvanians searched for a gift that would assuage the pain of the widow and surviving child.

They offered prayers and condolences, sent cards and flowers. Many felt helpless; it just wasn't enough. They wanted to provide something that actually made a difference to the Cranberry family shattered when an improperly hitched wood chipper broke loose from a truck and rammed Spencer Morrison's minivan, killing him and his children, Alaina and Garret.

District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., who is prosecuting the truck driver, conceived the perfect response and worked on it with 14 police departments. They delivered it Tuesday.

Sixteen officers from the Northern Regional Police Department searched for hitch violations on commercial vehicles along Route 19 and McKnight Road. In six hours, they issued tickets or warnings to 66 drivers, including two citations for failing to attach safety chains or straps. Police believe safety chains could have prevented the chipper detachment that killed the Morrisons.

Northern Regional officers plan to repeat the roving patrols next on Route 8, where the chipper struck last April. Forty officers studied proper hitching procedures, and those from the other 13 departments plan to conduct hitch checks too.

The correct hitching procedure requires about five minutes of work. Any responsible driver who knew of the Morrisons' tragedy should have been sufficiently chastened to double-check the coupler, the safety chains, the warning lights and brake switch. But the checks by the Northern Regional officers showed not all haulers have gotten the message. These inspections -- and the threat of more -- will help to inspire proper caution.

They should become routine because they create a true tribute to Spencer, Alaina and Garret. Their deaths will spare others.

First Published: October 15, 2006, 4:00 a.m.