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New charges filed in death of Mt. Lebanon jogger
Friday, September 03, 2010

New charges were filed Thursday against the driver of the SUV that struck and killed a Mt. Lebanon woman in June as she was jogging along Washington Road with her two children in a running stroller.

Following an investigation and ongoing discussions with the Allegheny County district attorney's office, the Mt. Lebanon Police Department has requested an arrest warrant be issued for Benjamin T. Cope, 20, of Mt. Lebanon, according to a news release.

He is being charged in connection with the death of Lisa Clay Styles, 36, who was running along Washington Road on June 28, when she was struck at the intersection with Beadling Road.

The arrest warrant is for the following charges: homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence; homicide by vehicle; involuntary manslaughter; two counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance; duties at stop signs; reckless driving; two counts of recklessly endangering another person; possession of a small amount of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia.

In June, police said Mr. Cope would be charged with driving while impaired and driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. The original DUI charges were withdrawn so a new list of charges could be filed following the investigation.

According to Mt. Lebanon police Lt. Aaron Lauth, Mr. Cope, the driver of a black 2003 Toyota 4Runner SUV, was attempting to make a right turn from Beadling Road onto Washington Road when he failed to stop properly at the stop sign June 28 at 12:14 p.m.

The Toyota struck Ms. Styles and her stroller. At the time of the crash, Ms. Styles was jogging north on the sidewalk along Washington Road, pushing her 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter.

Ms. Styles died the following day at UPMC Mercy. The stroller had been flipped on its side by the collision, but the two children strapped inside were not hurt.

Toxicology results revealed that Mr. Cope had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.

Records indicate that Mr. Cope has paid $755 in fines to Mt. Lebanon, South Fayette and Pittsburgh since February 2006 for traffic violations that include speeding, disregarding a traffic control device and driving without a license.

Kaitlynn Riely: kriely@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1707.

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First published on September 3, 2010 at 12:00 am