PA road rage results in death and arrest

Minor accident provoked car chase

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - A man is dead and another has been charged with homicide over a minor bump on the front of a van.

Joseph Diehl, 42, of Moscow, PA was at a drive-up window at a restaurant in Hamlin, PA on Monday, April 30 at 10:30 p.m. Ahead of him was a car driven by William Vogt. When Vogt backed his vehicle into Diehl’s van, causing minor damage, the two men decided to pull out of the drive-through line to discuss the incident.

At this point, according to the police account, Vogt, 21, of Lake Ariel, sped from the scene, with Diehl in hot pursuit. With Diehl were a 15-year-old passenger and a 20-year-old passenger. His wife, who had been driving the van, was left at the restaurant.

The pursuit continued on Route 590 through Hamlin. Prior to reaching the intersection of Routes 590 and 191, a passenger in the van called the state police in Honesdale to report the incident and the unfolding pursuit.

During the conversation, Diehl could be heard in the background threatening to beat the driver of the other vehicle if he caught him.

Other motorists observed the two men driving the two vehicles at excessive speeds.

Several vehicles pulled off the road in order to avoid the speeding duo.

When the cars arrived in Lake Ariel, Vogt lost control of his vehicle. It left the roadway and tumbled over a small embankment, crashing into a wooded area at the edge of the lake.

Vogt, who sustained serious injuries, was flown to CMC Hospital in Scranton where he was pronounced dead.

A passenger in Vogt’s vehicle, 18-year-old Alex Pontosky of Lake Ariel, received minor injuries.

Diehl continued to the state police barracks outside Honesdale, where he reported the incident, stating that he had lost Vogt’s automobile during the pursuit. Diehl and the passengers later admitted that they had witnessed the crash.

The investigation further disclosed that Diehl had been taking prescription medication during the hours leading to the incident.

Diehl was charged with homicide by vehicle, homicide by vehicle-DUI, involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children, five counts of recklessly endangering another, DUI, unsworn falsification to police and summary offenses related to speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and failing to render aid.

Diehl was arraigned before Magistrate District Judge Bonnie Carney on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. He was remanded to Wayne County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail. A preliminary hearing was been scheduled for May 9, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at the Wayne County Courthouse.