19-Year-Old Charged With Fatal Hit-And-Run, Police Say He Was Using Phone

INDIANA COUNTY (KDKA) – Investigators say 45-year-old Leslie Bennett was just trying to walk home when her life abruptly ended on part of State Route 553 in Clymer.

The Sept. 6 accident took place on SR 553 when was run down and killed. The driver of the truck that killed her was 19-year-old Nicholas Patterson of Clymer.

"As we know, Ms. Bennet was struck and killed along the highway," said Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty. "As a result of that, he left the scene and didn't turn himself in for an extended period of time."

With that as a background, DA Dougherty charged Patterson with felony charges of causing an accident involving death or personal injury, as well as summary counts of failing to render aid and texting while driving.

"We believe at the time he was on his cellphone," said Dougherty. "Whether he was text messaging or using his phone during that time, we believe it distracted him sufficiently, which led to this accident."

Patterson says he believed he struck a deer. However, getting evidence from the red Ford F-150 involved proved an issue for investigators.

"Obviously, he made repairs to the vehicle," said Dougherty. "That's a red flag. Then also, the vehicle caught on fire. "

"Obviously it's curious whether it rises to the level of criminal culpability, that's another story," he added.
"I'm not going to have my mom at my wedding," said Bennet's daughter, Alissa. "I'm not going to have her when I graduate college, when I have my own family. It's not something I wanna accept right now."

Meanwhile, the daughters of the victim are still trying to come to terms with why their mother so needlessly died.

Patterson is free on $25,000 unsecured bond. He'll have a preliminary hearing Oct. 30.

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