Driver with history of DUI now charged with homicide

Robert Landis had wracked up seven DUI arrests before he stepped behind the wheel of his Dodge Ram Pickup truck on the moonlit night of April 26.

The 49-year-old West Chester man's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. Beer cans were strewn about his car along with two unopened PennDOT letters concerning his license suspension and an application for an ignition interlock.

Landis is now charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence, DUI - at the highest level, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, driving with a suspended or revokes license and other related criminal charges in the death of Liam James Crowley, the district attorney's office announced.

Crowley 24, of Chesterbrook, was riding on his Triumph motorcycle on Wilmington Pike when he had the misfortune to cross paths with Landis, who turned his truck into the young man's path, officials said.

Crowley, who was wearing a helmet, died at Paoli Hospital two days later of severe multiple blunt force trauma.

While at the crash scene, police said Landis had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol.

Landis told police he only had "a couple of beers" and the motorcycle "came out of no where." He failed four field sobriety tests, according to court record.

District Attorney Thomas Hogan likened Landis's action to that of "firing a 5,000 pound bullet into a crowd of people," he said in a statement.

"We can not bring Liam Crowley back to his family and friends, but we will pursue justice against the man who killed Liam," Hogan said.

The night of the crash, Landis was taken to the Chester County prison on a state parole detainer.