A Catasauqua man has been arrested in the death of an area woman who taught dance in Macungie.

In a media release dated Dec. 23, 2021, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin and Upper Macungie Township Police Chief Michael J. Sitoski announced the arrest of Curtis L. Kuhar, 54, of Catasauqua, by Catasauqua police earlier the same day.

According to the media release, charges against Kuhar include: alleged homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, homicide by vehicle and accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, all felonies of the third degree; alleged involuntary manslaughter, a misdemeanor of the first degree; alleged driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance and driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance – combined alcohol and controlled substance, both misdemeanors and summary charges of allegedly driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked/DUI ARD while driving under the influence, driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked – DUI/ARD, reckless driving, careless driving – unintentional death and required financial responsibility.

The charges stem from a crash involving a motorcycle and tractor trailer Aug. 24, 2021 at Trexlertown Road near Pennsylvania Route 22 in Upper Macungie Township.

Kuhar allegedly was driving the motorcycle. Kuhar’s passenger, Kerri M. Sodl, 49, was fatally injured in the crash.

Sodl, of Trexlertown, an Emmaus High School graduate, taught gymnastics and dance at Grand Jete Studio of Dance in Macungie and worked at Lineage Logistics in Allentown, according to her obituary in The Press.

The media release details the accident as follows:

At 11:10 p.m. Aug. 24, 2021 Upper Macungie police officers responded to the crash in the township. Police said a motorcycle driven by Kuhar struck a tractor trailer as the truck was turning into a private driveway.

Sodl was pronounced dead Aug. 25, 2021 as a result of multiple blunt force trauma and her death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner’s office, according to authorities.

A witness told police the truck was signaling a right turn and “it appeared that Kuhar had enough time to stop his motorcycle.”

Investigators learned Kuhar could have stopped his motorcycle just before hitting the tractor trailer, according to the media release.

Additionally, authorities released medical testing of Kuhar which revealed the presence of methamphetamine and a blood-alcohol content of 0.04 percent.

Kuhar’s license was suspended at the time of the crash due to a previous DUI incident. Kuhar did not have a motorcycle license nor insurance, according to authorities.

In September 2021, students, friends and colleagues at Grand Jete Studio of Dance, Macungie, honored Sodl with a memorial event at Macungie Memorial Park, according to coverage in The Press.