Greensburg man charged with DUI in bicyclist's hit-and-run death

NORTH UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A driver accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist Monday in Fayette County has been charged with driving under the influence.

Channel 11's Cara Sapida learned that, according to police, the driver did not stop after the accident, which was reported about 10:30 a.m. on Connellsville Street in North Union Township.

Police caught up with the suspect about 13 miles away and took him into custody. Roman Herrin, 22, is charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and other charges. Officials told Channel 11 News that Herrin was driving 93 miles per hour when he was caught.

Authorities identified the victim as Gary Lewellen, 47, of Arnold. Police said the impact of the crash caused Lewellen to be thrown 60 yards.

Lewellen's mother, Patricia Lewellen, said her son was on his way to visit her Monday, bicycling to her home, when he was hit from behind and left for dead.

"(It makes me) sick to my stomach to know there's people out there who could do something like this and don't have the decency to pull over and stop to help," Lewellen told Channel 11 News.

Witnesses gave police a description of Herrin's White Dodge Ram.

According to a criminal complaint, state police found damage to the grill of his truck and burnt-orange paint on his vehicle, which is the color of Lewellen's bike. Additionally, the complaint states that troopers smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the truck.

"He took my son's life away from him, just because he was strung out on marijuana," Patricia Lewellen said.

She showed Channel 11 a recent photo of her son giving her a big kiss. She said she wants to find the witnesses who rushed to who son, gave him CPR and tried to save his life.

"I want to say to everyone who did help my son, thank you so very much. There ought to be more people out there. God bless you because you're angels," she said.

Heather Sisler, who lives in the area where the accident happened, said her brother and cousin were outside at the time and screamed for someone to call 911.

“They looked up when they heard the thud and there was a white Dodge Ram, and it just kept going after it hit the gentleman,” Sisler said. “They are really shaken up to have witnessed the horrendous sight of a man fighting for his life, a completely innocent person that was -- just left his home, probably to get some exercise and he's gone. ... (The driver) definitely wasn’t paying attention, hit someone, knew what he did and left the scene.”

Online court records don't list an attorney for Herrin, who also faces several traffic citations in the crash. He told police he did not see anyone in front of him, but he did feel a bump as he was driving.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Cox Media Group