Trooper Robert Clevenger was killed in a single-vehicle accident while in pursuit of a traffic violator on a graveled road three miles south of New Castle near Straughn.

   He observed a motorist commit a traffic violation at an intersection in Cambridge City and began pursuing the vehicle. The 13-mile chase led to a T-intersection and due to the dust created by the violator's vehicle, Trooper Clevenger was unable to see the embankment ahead and struck it head-on.

   Investigators found the license plate number of the pursued vehicle in Trooper Clevenger's squad car and apprehended a 26-year-old man later that day. He was charged with reckless driving and reckless homicide but returned to Pennsylvania for violating his parole on a 2½-to-5-year sentence for burglary and larceny. 

   Trooper Clevenger, from Centerville, was assigned to the Connersville post. He was survived by his wife, parents, paternal and maternal grandfathers.