Denver man not criminally responsible in fatal crash

A Denver man has been charged with traffic violations – not criminal charges – in connection with an August car crash that killed a recent Ephrata High School graduate.

Roger Fitzwater Jr., 42, is charged with summary counts of speeding, making an illegal pass, careless driving and failure to obey a road sign regarding the Aug. 5 crash in ClayTownship, according to an Intelligencer Journal article.

Dakota “Cody” Schnettler, 18 – who had just graduated – was killed after the high-speed collision on Mount Airy Road.

After a seven-month investigation, police decided not to file criminal charges, such as vehicular homicide, the article said.

Investigators determined that Fitzwater was attempting to pass Schnettler’s Volkswagen convertible when his Porsche was struck by the Volkswagen in the left lane. The Volkswagen veered into the left lane while Fitzwater was making the illegal pass, the article said.