State takes over probe in Doylestown woman's death

State authorities have taken over the investigation into the death of a woman who was struck by a car and killed after an argument with her boyfriend, a former Bucks County prosecutor.

Richard Patton, 51, of New Hope, previously worked as an assistant prosecutor for the county and for the state Attorney General's Office.

Patton was driving the car that struck Heather Demou, 34, a real estate agent from Doylestown, after the two argued Thursday outside a Newtown restaurant, police said.

According to police, Patton told them Demou stepped in front of the car to stop him from leaving. Toxicology and other tests are pending, and he has not been charged, authorities said.

The state Attorney General's Office took over the case because of Patton's work in the Bucks County District Attorney's Office. The state office can handle the probe because Patton worked there under another administration, Bucks County District Attorney Diane Gibbons said. - AP