Driver in Deadly Crash Had 5 Prior DUIs: D.A.

Liam Crowley's father choked back tears while discussing the loss of his son.

"It's too much to overcome," he said. "Too much."

On April 26, police say Crowley, 24, of Chesterbrook, Pa. was riding his motorcycle north on SR 202 (Wilmington Pike) at Stanton Avenue in Westtown Township. Suddenly, police say, a white Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling south on High Street made a left turn towards Stanton, crashing into the motorcycle.

"His girlfriend was in a car behind it and she saw accident lights," said Crowley's father, who did not want to be identified. "She didn't know it was him. She tried to call him and he didn't answer. She got to the scene and recognized the helmet."

Crowley was taken to Paoli Hospital where he died from his injuries two days later. Police say the driver of the truck, Robert Elwood Landis, 49, of West Chester, showed signs of intoxication at the scene and failed a series of sobriety tests. He was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance and other offenses. He is currently being held at Chester County prison on a parole violation. Officials continue to investigate the accident and have not yet filed criminal charges against Landis.

According to court records and the Chester County D.A., Landis pleaded guilty to five previous DUIs before last Friday’s accident. The District Attorney says Landis would have been eligible to drive as of 2012 if he had filled out proper paperwork. Crowley's father says he can't believe that a person with that many DUIs was allowed to get behind the wheel.

"I hope this guy never gets out of jail," he said. "This is homicide."

Landis' nephew, who also did not want to be identified, offered condolences on behalf of his family.

"We're very devastated and we're very sorry for the family that lost their son," he said.

Crowley's father isn't ready to forgive however.

"As far as I'm concerned he has no soul," he said. "I have no mercy for him whatsoever."
 

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