One police officer was injured and another was nearly run into Friday night while attempting to nab alleged drug traffickers in Butler.

Four accused dealers, including a pair from Philadelphia, were arrested in the separate drug investigations by the Butler County Drug Task Force.

Authorities, meanwhile, expect to arrest two other suspects who eluded police after a high-speed chase, during which they tossed currency and drugs from their car.

Butler Patrolman William Mayhugh, a task force officer, needed several stitches to close a cut on his hand suffered about 7:30 p.m. while raiding a suspected crack house on North Elm Street.

Mayhugh moments earlier had conducted an undercover buy at an apartment there. The apartment had previously been under surveillance by authorities.

"We had been hearing information that guys from Philadelphia were selling crack cocaine at this location,"said Butler police Lt. Ron Pate, field supervisor for the task force, "so we started our own investigation."

Authorities had prior dealings with the so-called "Philadelphia crew" that some time earlier had set up shop in Butler to deal drugs, Pate said.

Lydell Simmons, 18, and Edmond Blunt, 26, were arrested during Friday night's raid. Officers seized several rocks of crack and about $780 from the apartment.

Both men were arraigned on charges of delivery of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia; they are in the Butler County Prison on $20,000 bond each.

Kelly Wilson, 37, of Butler, who rents the apartment, was arrested early Saturday morning after officers found her hiding in the back of a car on Jackson Street.

Police suspect Wilson, who was found with a crack pipe, was also selling drugs out of the apartment. She is charged with delivery, possession with intent to deliver and possession of cocaine.

Task force officers about 8:30 p.m. Friday conducted another surveillance detail at a Monroe Street parking lot.

During that operation, Charles T. Johnson, 61, of Butler was arrested for allegedly selling crack to another man. Police already had a warrant for Johnson on charges he sold crack to an undercover officer Oct. 19.

Authorities noted that Johnson had arrived at the parking lot in a Chevrolet Cavalier occupied by two women. The car tore out of the lot as officers moved in to make the arrest.

"(Pate) drove out of the way at the last minute to avoid being hit by the vehicle,"a police report said.

State police and Butler Township police assisted city officers in the chase out of Butler and onto Route 422.

The suspects, both from Youngstown, Ohio, threw currency from the car as they left Butler. Authorities later gathered $180 tossed from the vehicle.

An Evans City police canine also led officers to an empty baggie that they suspect contained crack; however, no drugs were found along the chase route.

The pursuit, which reached speeds of about 80 mph, ended 10 miles later when the Cavalier got away. Troopers the next day found the car abandoned on Old Route 422 in Franklin Township.

Authorities said they have identified both women who were in the car and further arrests in the investigation are imminent.

Johnson, meanwhile, was arraigned on two counts each of delivery, possession with intent to deliver and possession of cocaine, as well as conspiracy, He is in the county jail on $15,000 bond.