URBANA — A Champaign man has been charged with causing the death of his friend in a motorcycle collision that happened last September.

Dana Hasselbring, 28, who listed an address in the 900 block of North Willis Avenue, was arraigned Thursday for aggravated driving under the influence, alleging that he had used cocaine before the collision on Sept. 18 that ultimately caused Eddie Piat's death.

Mr. Piat, 26, of Champaign died Nov. 1 at Carle Foundation Hospital where he had been since the collision six weeks earlier. He was married and had a daughter.

Champaign police said he and Hasselbring were in a group of six motorcyclists eastbound on Kirby Avenue near Lincoln Road in west Champaign when Hasselbring hit Mr. Piat about 8 p.m.

Assistant State's Attorney Andrea Bergstrom said Hasselbring was looking over his shoulder preparing to pass Mr. Piat, didn't see him slowing, and hit Mr. Piat from behind.

Neither man was wearing a helmet and witnesses said they were driving at high speeds.

Hasselbring was treated and released for his injuries. Immediately after the accident, he was ticketed for failure to reduce speed and driving without a motorcycle license.

Earlier this month, he was charged with aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony carrying a potential prison term of between three and 14 years. The charge alleges that he was driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and that his driving was the proximate cause of Mr. Piat's death.

Bergstrom said the substance was cocaine.

When the state's attorney's office filed the charge against Hasselbring June 3, a summons was issued for him to come to court Thursday. He appeared Thursday with Champaign attorney Jim Martinkus.

Judge John Kennedy allowed Hasselbring to remain free on his own recognizance but told him to be back in court Aug. 19.