LEBANON, N.H. — A former Fortune 500 executive was arraigned Friday on second-degree murder charges in a crash that killed a young Vermont couple expecting their first child in January.

Robert Dellinger, 53, of Sunapee told police he was depressed and trying to kill himself on Dec. 7 when he drove his pickup across an Interstate 89 median and into an oncoming car. Police say the truck became airborne and sheared off the top of the couple’s car, killing them instantly. The unborn child also did not survive.

He was arraigned on two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of 29-year-old Jason Timmons and 24-year-old Amanda Murphy, who was eight months pregnant.

Dellinger sustained cuts on his head and face and was at first charged with two counts of reckless manslaughter. According to prosecutors, Dellinger told troopers after the crash that he had argued with his wife over medication he was taking for depression and was driving around when he decided to commit suicide.

WMUR-TV reported that relatives of Dellinger and the victims left court Friday without commenting.

“Everybody’s trying very hard to hold up,” said his lawyer, Peter Decato. “As you might imagine, it’s very difficult for everybody. You see families agonizing over their lost loved ones and a family agonizing over the loss of liberty of their loved one.”

Dellinger is being held without bail until a probable cause hearing on Jan. 14, after which a bail hearing can be scheduled.

A conviction on second-degree murder carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Dellinger was senior vice president and chief financial officer at PPG Industries Inc. before he left in 2011 because of health issues. He also held positions at General Electric, Sprint and Delphi.

Dellinger was senior vice president and chief financial officer at PPG Industries Inc. until 2011.

Copy the Story Link