Robert Dellinger, ex-exec, arraigned in fatal N.H. crash

LEBANON, N.H. - A former Fortune 500 executive was arraigned Friday on second-degree murder charges in a crash earlier this month 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 reports that relatives of Dellinger and the victims left court Friday without commenting.

A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 14. 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.