Fleeing suspect fatally shot by state trooper after chase in Indiana County
A Pennsylvania State Police trooper shot and killed a Center Township man following a miles-long car chase through Indiana County Sunday night, state police said in a press statement.
At about 11:55 p.m., police said the trooper initiated a traffic stop near Yankeetown and Lockard avenues in Center Township, Indiana County.
The driver, 51-year-old John Vincent Dye, fled and police followed, continuing for several miles on various roads in Center and Homer City, police said. Troopers deployed hollow spike strips on roads to stop the driver’s car, but the suspect continued to flee.
Police eventually encountered Dye along Route 119 near Tide Road in Center, and police fired at him in the southbound lanes of the roadway, police said.
Troopers immediately rendered aid but Dye died at the scene, police said.
No troopers were injured during the incident, police said. Route 119 near the incident was closed during the on-scene investigation.
The state police’s Troop A Major Case Team, the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, and the Indiana County Coroner’s Office are investigating.
In accordance with state police policy, officials said the involved trooper or troopers will be placed on administrative duties while the incident is under investigation.
Justin Vellucci is a TribLive reporter covering crime and public safety in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A longtime freelance journalist and former reporter for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, he worked as a general assignment reporter at the Trib from 2006 to 2009 and returned in 2022. He can be reached at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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