DaytonDailyNews.com

BUTLER TWP., Montgomery County — Police are investigating a double fatal automobile crash after the driver fled from a traffic stop Saturday morning, Oct. 11, then collided with parked cars and landed on a restaurant sign in the 6700 block of Miller Lane.

A 22-year-old female passenger in the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix died at the scene, according to Butler Twp. Police Chief Danny Hobbs. The 28-year-old driver was sent by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital and later died, Hobbs said.

A Butler Twp. police officer initiated a stop after the car ran a stop sign at about 11:30 a.m. in the 7000 block of Miller Lane, Hobbs said. As the officer approached the Pontiac, the driver, described to be in his mid 20s, took off.

As the officer got back into his car he noticed a cloud of dust less than a half-mile away and arrived to find the Pontiac flipped on its top while lying on the Olive Garden restaurant sign.

"There was no pursuit," Hobbs said. "It all happened before the officer caught up with the vehicle."

Witnesses said the Pontiac reached speeds of 75 miles per hour and almost hit an RTA bus before crashing.

The Pontiac went airborne just before the restaurant sign and landed on two empty parked cars of Olive Garden employees, according to restaurant employees.

No one else was injured from the crash.

Hobbs said he isn't sure what caused the driver to lose control, but said the car was weaving in and out of traffic at a "high rate of speed."

He said officers did find a loaded handgun in the car and a small amount of marijuana.

Investigators were still on the scene as of 5 p.m.

Stay with DaytonDailyNews.com for more details.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDaily

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