DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A 45-year-old New Jersey man is being held without bail in Bucks County for a deadly hit-and-run last month in a fast food parking lot in Bristol Township.
Daniel Dietrich, of Palmyra, New Jersey, is facing several charges, including criminal homicide, leaving the scene, and driving on a suspended license. He is accused of running over 47-year-old Jason Smith in a McDonald’s parking lot on Feb. 5.
Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub said it started when Dietrich got off I-95 and onto Route 13.
“He may have cut off another driver, who we now know to be Smith, while trying to merge, and the two became involved in a verbal altercation while in their separate vehicles,” Weintraub said.
Dietrich followed Smith into the McDonald’s parking lot, cut him off and backed into a parking spot, according to the DA. When Smith pulled a hammer out of his car and started walking toward Dietrich’s truck, Dietrich pulled out, ran Smith over and drove off.
Related
He never stopped or called 911. Smith later died from his injuries.
Weintraub said there was initially a question of self-defense, since Smith had a hammer. However, Weintraub said Dietrich had a clear exit away from Smith but instead drove toward him.
“He could have easily driven to the right and avoided this whole terrible, tragic criminal incident,” he added.