Pennsylvania: Dante Rau drove over and smashed motorcycle and rider Robert Gatchel; now faces homicide DUI charges

Proving that marijuana is deadly when potheads get behind the wheel, Dante Rau drove over and burnt to a crisp a motorcyclist.  Now Rau faces DUI homicide charges in Douglass Township, Penn.

Proving that marijuana is deadly when potheads get behind the wheel, Dante Rau drove over and burnt to a crisp a motorcyclist. Now Rau faces DUI homicide charges in Douglass Township, Penn.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Douglass Township Police Chief Barry L. Templin, Jr. announce the arrest of Dante Rau on charges of Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence and related charges.

On May 3, 2014 officers from Douglass Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 100 and Rick Road for the report of a crash involving a motorcycle and a car.

Upon arrival, officers located Dante Raus 2000 Honda Civic on top of a motorcycle and rider. The rider was identified as Robert Gatchel. Both the vehicles and Gatchel were on fire. The Douglass Township Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The victim was declared dead on the scene of the crash.

Investigation by Montgomery County Detective Bureau and Douglass Township Police revealed that Gatchel had been operating his motorcycle northbound on Route 100 when he was struck from behind by Raus vehicle, which caused the victim to go to the ground. The defendant then drove over the victim and his motorcycle and became wedged under the car. The victim was dragged for approximately 749 feet before the defendants car came to a rest. The car, motorcycle, and Gatchel caught fire. The defendant was able to exit his vehicle uninjured. Gatchel was killed as a result of his injuries and the subsequent fire.

A blood sample taken from the Defendant after the crash revealed the presence of Fentanyl and the metabolites of Marijuana.

The Defendant was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Maurice H. Saylor. Bail was set at $20,000. A preliminary hearing was set for July 14, 2014 at 9 am before Judge Saylor.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gabriel C. Magee.