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PA Cops: Young Motorist 'Huffing' Prior to Fatal | Print |  E-mail
Thursday, 10 September 2009

 

 

PHILLY INQUIRER

UPPER DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA

Nicole Gallo , 19, of Clifton Heights, died instantly.
PHOTO: Nicole Gallo , 19, of Clifton Heights, died instantly.

 

The Delaware County driver who lost control of her car while reaching for an iPod and struck two women, killing one, was found to have drugs in her system, police said.

Toxicology tests run on the blood of Rachael Jankins, 20, of Havertown, tested positive for marijuana and Difluoroethane, an ingredient found in Dust-Off, a can of compressed air used to clean computers, according to police.

"Apparently she was huffing prior to the accident," said Michael Chitwood, Upper Darby superintendent of police.

Chitwood said they are recommending the District Attorney's office charge Jankins with homicide by vehicle involving DUI, manslaughter and other related charges.

No charges have currently been filed.

On August 15, Nicole Gallo, 19, of Clifton Heights, and Christine Bochanski, 20, of Lansdowne, left Delaware County Memorial Hospital at 11:15 a.m. and were struck from behind by the car driven by Jankins.

Gallo was killed instantly; Bochanski was hospitalized with multiple injuries. She is now at home recovering.

Jankins of Havertown, was treated for minor injuries at Delaware County Memorial and released.

According to police, Jankins was heading south on Lansdowne Avenue when she lost control of her car, crossed two lanes of traffic, drove onto the sidewalk for 30 feet before striking the women. There were no skid marks at the accident scene.

"This was a tragedy that should not have happened," said Chitwood. He said as a result of the toxicology findings the incident went from a "horrible accident to a criminal investigation."

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