Allegheny County

Man was high on heroin when he hit, killed bicyclist with his truck, police say

SEWICKLEY, Pa. — A man is facing multiple charges after a deadly hit-and-run of a bicyclist in Allegheny County.

The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Bell Acres. Police said the victim – identified as Curtis Brown, 51 – was riding his bicycle on Big Sewickley Creek Road near the Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery when he was hit head-on by a truck.

Here is a map showing the area:

According to investigators, Justin Miller, 33, was driving his Ford truck west in the eastbound lane of the roadway when he collided with the victim.

Investigators said he left the scene after he hit Brown.

A Leet Township police officer spotted his truck down the road and said it almost hit him.

Miller was found with a number of baggies of heroin and needles, according to police paperwork. He admitted to police he injected the drug and then started driving, not realizing the power of the opiate.

Investigators learned that 15-minutes before the hit-and-run, Franklin Park police received a call reporting an erratic driver heading toward Big Sewickley Creek Road. That is now believed to be Miller.

Miller was taken into custody and is now in the Allegheny County Jail. He is facing charges of homicide by motor vehicle while DUI, DUI, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and fleeing and eluding.