A Max Meadows man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a September crash in Fairlawn.

Jerry Wayne Viars, 35, was driving a Hyundai Sonata that collided with a motorcycle driven by Shawn Brent Gerald of Willis, police have said. Gerald, 28, was thrown from his bike. He was taken to Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, where he died less than an hour later.

The crash happened about 8 p.m. on U.S. 11 at its intersection with Virginia 630, in front of the Fairlawn Sheetz.

Gerald was headed south on U.S. 11, and Viars was turning left onto Virginia 630 from northbound U.S. 11 when they collided, police have said.

Virginia State Police charged Viars with driving under the influence immediately after the crash. A hearing on that charge was rescheduled for Jan. 13 in Pulaski County General District Court after Viars didn't show up for a Dec. 9 hearing because he reportedly was ill.

Viars was arrested Friday on the involuntary manslaughter charge, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 10.

Pulaski County Commonwealth's Attorney Mike Fleenor said there was evidence that Viars was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and it was determined that his car had collided with Gerald's motorcycle.

"Because of that we thought it appropriate to bring an additional charge of manslaughter," he said.

It was reported after the crash that Gerald had been racing with the driver of a Ford Mustang when the crash happened, but Fleenor said there is conflicting evidence about whether anyone was racing.

The driver of the Mustang did not stop at the scene and was not found, Fleenor said.