Man leads officers on chase, dies of heart attack

After getting into an altercation at a casino, the man fled, and later reported having trouble breathing

By Susy Kelly
Herald-Standard

NORTH STRABANE TWP., Pa. — A man died following an altercation and a police foot chase outside the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County Saturday night, according to state police.

State police said Darryll L. Briston, 49, of North Braddock was at the casino when, at around 10:30 p.m., he encountered his estranged wife and her male companion. State police said Briston confronted the two and, after exchanging words, punched the male companion in the face.

Casino security witnessed the assault, state police said, and requested assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police Gaming Enforcement office and the North Strabane Township Police Department.

Briston then fled the casino, sparking a quarter-mile foot chase, state police said.

According to state police, Briston resisted arrest, refusing to present his hands to be cuffed. State police said Briston was warned that a Taser would be used if he refused to comply. State police said Briston continued to resist arrest and a gaming enforcement officer stunned Briston in the upper leg once, for two seconds.

Briston was then handcuffed without further incident, state police said, and led a short distance to a North Strabane Township police car. Briston complained the handcuffs were too tight, and shortly reported having trouble breathing, state police said.

North Strabane police immediately called Canonsburg Ambulance, state police said, and after ambulance personnel responded and began treatment, Briston went into cardiac arrest. State police said fewer than 30 minutes elapsed from the time Briston was taken into custody and when he went into cardiac arrest.

Briston was taken to Canonsburg General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, state police said.

According to Washington County Coroner Tim Warco, an autopsy revealed there were no signs of internal or external trauma, but the cause and manner of death are pending investigation.

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