Deadly Hospital Crash Caused by Distracted Driver: Police

An out of control driver, who investigators said was playing with her iPod, hit two people, killing one, outside of Delaware County Hospital in Upper Darby, Pa. The accident happened around 11:30 Friday morning.

Nicole Gallo, 19, from Clifton Heights, Pa. died from the crash and Christine Bochanski, 20, of Lansdowne, Pa. was injured.

Bochanski was taken to Chester Crozier Medical Center where she was upgraded to fair condition Friday afternoon, said police.

The friends, who both attended Archbishop Prendergast High School, were walking outside the hospital when they were struck.

A Facebook group was quickly started to remember Gallo as friends left messages about the teen.

It appeared Rachel Jankins, 20, from Havertown, Pa. crossed two lanes of oncoming traffic on Lansdowne Avenue, went up the sidewalk and slammed into both women, according to police.

“She claims she was fooling with an iPod in her car when she lost control of the vehicle and the next thing she knew the air bags were in her face.  She never remembers hitting the woman or seeing the woman,” said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Mike Chitwood.

Jankins, who was trapped in her car, suffered minor injuries. There were no skid marks or evidence that she ever stepped on the brakes, said police.

Charges could be filed against Jankins, according to Chitwood.

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