Driver Who Killed Teen was on Drugs: Police

Update: Vanderhorst was convicted in 2015 of a single count of driving under the influence and sentenced to a maximum of six months in jail, according to court records. He was found not guilty of homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault by vehicle, and six other less charges were either dismissed or returned not guilty. 

Police in Delaware County have made an arrest in the death of a recent Upper Darby High School graduate.

Delco District Attorney Jack Whelan and Clifton Heights Police Chief Tim Rockenbach announced the arrest of Jonathan I. Vanderhorst, 45, of Lansdowne, in the January 12 car accident that killed 18-year-old Dante Desimone and critically injured his friend Tim Robison. Vanderhorst was under the influence of drugs, one of which included marijuana, at the time of the deadly accident, police announced in a press conference Monday afternoon.

Desimone, Robison and another friend were walking in front of the McDonald's on Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights when Vanderhorst tried to make a left into the restaurant parking lot and collided with a Ford pickup truck. The impact caused the truck to hop the curb -- striking and killing Desimone and injuring Robison.

Desimone was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Robinson was taken to the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania where he remained for weeks following the accident.

Both Vanderhorst and the driver of the pickup stopped and cooperated with police following the accident.

Vanderhorst is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and other related charges.

Desimone was a freshman lacrosse player at Neumann University. He also played both lacrosse and hockey at Upper Darby.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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