Man Dies While In Pittsburgh Police Custody

PITTSBURGH, PA — Allegheny County police are investigating the death of a man while in the custody of Pittsburgh police early Friday.

At 2:46 a.m. County 911 dispatched city police to the intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard and Bausman Street for reports of a man acting erratically and going in and out of traffic on foot.

At 2:53 a.m. officers encountered the male at the intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard and Warrington Avenue. The man initially attempted to enter the police vehicle, refused initial commands and was taken to the ground and placed in custody. Officers observed the male had injuries to his head, and apparent road rash on other parts of his body and requested EMS to the scene.

As the man was being treated by paramedics, he experienced cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

City police then requested county police assistance and county police began an investigation.

Preliminary information shows at 2:43 a.m., the man was traveling in a vehicle on Bausman Street at the intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard when he exited the vehicle in the parking lot of a business in the 800 block of Saw Mill Run Boulevard. The vehicle was still running and drifted into the building as the man walked away on foot. The man was seen walking in and out of traffic and approaching numerous vehicles. According to witnesses, the man attempted to enter a pickup truck at the intersection of Bausman Street and Saw Mill Run Boulevard. Witnesses reported the truck drove away and dragged the man towards Warrington Avenue.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.