Woman injured in Bute Road police pursuit has died

A woman who was involved in an accident as a result of a police chase on Bute Road died on Saturday.

State police identified the operator of the vehicle as Bendetta L. Miller, no age or address provided. Miller was attempting to make a left-hand turn near Oliver 3 Road when a police cruiser collided with her vehicle Friday afternoon.

Miller was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown was a head injury, police said.

The cruiser was one of two in pursuit of Jonathan Switch, 23, of McClellandtown. The first cruiser and Switch drove down Bute Roads at speeds in excess of 70 to 80 mph, according to police, and passed Miller in the opposing lane of traffic.

The unidentified trooper in the second cruiser was taken to the Uniontown Hospital by ambulance after sustaining a hip injury, police said.

Switch, who was arraigned late Saturday night at the Fayette County Booking Center, is to face charges of aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and several traffic violations.

Police said Switch triggered the police chase after he swerved in front of a marked patrol car on Route 119 northbound. After initiating a traffic stop, Switch allegedly sped off and got off of the Gallatin Avenue exit towards Bute Road.

Miller is the second individual to die from an accident that was triggered by a police pursuit. Two weeks ago, Christopher Anthony Kemp, 27, of Confluence was fleeing from police in Wharton Township when he allegedly crashed into Erik Yannitelli’s vehicle on Route 40, killing the 22-year-old Farmington man.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the accident.