Police pursuit ends with death of Avella driver
An Avella man was killed Wednesday evening after crashing his vehicle while being pursued by police.
Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco identified the man as Mark Michael Miller, 45. According to Warco’s report, a concerned driver called 911 shortly after 5 p.m. to report a reckless driver on Route 50 in Independence Township.
A Mount Pleasant Township police officer attempted to pull over Miller, but he did not stop, according to the coroner. Miller crashed into a guard rail near the intersection of Avella Road and Caldwell Road.
Mount Pleasant police Chief Matthew Tharp said Thursday that the account of the incident provided by Warco was accurate. Tharp added that the pursuit lasted less than three miles before Miller crashed.
Tharp said the officer, who was not identified, continues to work while the department investigates the incident.
Tharp declined to comment further.
Miller was transported to Washington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:52 p.m.
The cause and manner of death have not been determined.