Bicyclist ID'd in fatal Bell Acres hit-and-run; driver arrested

A bicyclist died Saturday after being struck by a pickup in a hit-and-run in Bell Acres, according to Allegheny County Police.

The bicyclist was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office as Curtis Brown, 51. No address was provided.

Allegheny County Police said the pickup driver, Justin Michael Miller, 33, no address given, was arrested shortly after the collision after a Leet Township police officer saw his vehicle and pursued him for about a mile.

According to county police, Bell Acres police were called at 12:26 p.m. to the 700 block of Big Sewickley Creek Road for a report of a hit-and-run involving a bicyclist and a green Ford pickup.

Police determined from witnesses that the pickup had been traveling west in the eastbound lane when it hit the bicyclist, who was traveling east, head-on.

Brown was taken by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian in Shadyside, where he was pronounced dead at 1:48 p.m., the Medical Examiner’s Office said.

Detectives investigated and learned that Franklin Park police received a call at 12:14 p.m. reporting an erratic driver on Nicholson Road near Route 910, then heading west on Route 910 toward Big Sewickley Creek Road. Allegheny County 911 alerted police in Bell Acres and Leet Township.

At 12:29 p.m., a Leet Township officer saw the green Ford pickup on Ambridge Road and pursued it for about 1 mile until it was stopped in the area of Boyle Road.

Miller was taken to Allegheny County Police headquarters. County police said Miller will be charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving under the influence, possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, fleeing and eluding, and driving under suspension.

Anyone with information is asked to call the county police tip line at 833-255-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.