BUFFALO TWP — A stolen handgun and crack cocaine were found in a sport utility vehicle following a police chase and fiery crash Sunday night that left three people hospitalized, authorities said.

A pursuing trooper was credited with getting the injured trio out of the wrecked vehicle and deploying a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

Two of the occupants, Derik L. Carothers, 24, who was the driver, and passenger Isiaha A. Waulk, 22, both of Johnstown, Cambria County, are felons, police said, and both face criminal charges.

A girl, who police did not identify, was also in the vehicle. She was taken to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Carothers and Waulk were each taken to an unspecified Pittsburgh hospital. They were all believed to be in stable condition Monday morning, according to authorities.

Police said the chase began around 8:45 p.m. on Route 28 in South Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, where troopers tried to pull over the suspects' 1999 Ford Expedition for a traffic violation.

Carothers allegedly did not stop and sped away southbound. Police activated their emergency lights and siren and pursued the SUV into Butler County.

Police said Carothers lost control of the vehicle on the exit 17 off-ramp in Buffalo Township. The SUV hit the center concrete median and rolled onto its side.

The vehicle caught fire, and the first trooper at the scene broke a side window on the Ford to rescue the occupants, police said. He also put out the fire.

From the vehicle, troopers recovered two handguns — a Glock semi-automatic pistol and a Smith & Wesson revolver. The Glock, police said, was later found to have been reported stolen. Police also found suspected crack in the vehicle.

Arrest warrants were issued Monday for Carothers and Waulk.

Carothers is charged with felons not to possess firearms and fleeing or attempting to elude police, both felonies. He also is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and reckless endangerment, all misdemeanors.

Additionally, he is charged with a pair of traffic violations — driving without a license and careless driving.

Waulk is charged with felons not to possess firearms and receiving stolen property, both felonies and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.