A man was killed yesterday when he crashed his car while fleeing police after vice officers tried to serve a felony warrant for his arrest on drug charges at his Natrona Heights home, state police said.

Derek Salmon, 41, was killed after he apparently flipped his car near a sharp bend on Burtner Road in Fawn.

State police said troopers were pursuing the suspect along Route 28 North to Route 15, where he struck at least one vehicle before crashing.

State police offered scant details about the fatal crash, the police pursuit and the initial arrest warrant late last night, saying investigators were still gathering information.

Mr. Salmon was pronounced dead at the scene by the Allegheny County medical examiner's office.

"This is an extensive, extensive investigation," Cpl. Craig Chodkowski said at the state police barracks in Kittanning. "We're still piecing everything together. It's a complex investigation with many aspects."

Under investigation is a two-vehicle crash on Burtner Road in Harrison at 3:52 p.m. and a second, fatal two-vehicle crash two minutes later on Burtner Road about 1.5 miles west of Route 28 in Fawn, according to news releases.

Police said the suspect, driving a station wagon, was involved in both crashes, but Cpl. Chodkowski declined to elaborate on the news releases.

"As with all police-involved deaths, the Allegheny County district attorney's homicide unit is reviewing all aspects of this incident," the release read. "Investigation is ongoing."

Two other people were injured in the crashes, but Cpl. Chodkowski said he did not know their conditions or where they were hospitalized. Troopers at the scene said the suspect struck a pick-up truck head-on near a bend on Burtner Road.

Troopers spent last night talking to the injured people and witnesses, Cpl. Chodkowski said. More information is forthcoming today, he added.

"It's still very early," he said.

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