PITTSBURGH — The trial in a civil case brought against Pittsburgh and its police department by the families of two people killed by a motorist fleeing a traffic stop has begun.

The families of Michelle Rankin, 35, and Jerome Smith, 34, sued the city following the May 2006 crash. Police tried to pull over a motorist who fled then ran a red light and struck Rankin's car, killing her and Smith.

The fleeing driver, Devon Miles, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the case and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison.

HOMER CITY — The borough council in Homer City voted to suspended Officer Ethan Sorbin-Randolph, 21, on Tuesday, the same day he was charged with giving alcohol to minors and witness intimidation.Police in Indiana Borough said Sorbin-Randolph provided the beverages at a Jan. 23 party where 28 people were cited for underage drinking. Investigators said he also told his former girlfriend not to say anything about the party.Sorbin-Randolph also is a member of the school board in the Homer-Center School District.Sorbin-Randolph's home phone is disconnected and online court records don't list a defense attorney.

ERIE — A Burger King spokeswoman said the fast-food chain is investigating allegations a white employee in a restaurant spat on a black man's food.But spokeswoman Denise Wilson said Burger King officials have not been served with the federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by Glenn Goodwin, a trucker from Cleveland.Goodwin claims one white worker spat on his food while another white worker obscured his view of the act when Goodwin stopped at a Burger King in Fairview in November 2008. The lawsuit says state police investigated and discovered saliva in Goodwin's food, but police have yet to return calls to confirm that.