DA calls fire that killed disabled woman "evil and vile"
DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Officials announced an arrest Wednesday in connection with a deadly fire that happened in Darby Township on Sunday and killed a young woman with cerebral palsy.
Aaron Clark, 30, now faces first-degree murder, plus attempted murder and arson charges in connection with the fatal fire.
"Aaron Clark had has committed one of the most evil and vile acts I have ever seen," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.
Stollsteimer said the fast-moving fire killed 20-year-old Olivia Drasher, who lived with cerebral palsy.
"She was parapalegic," Stollsteimer said. "She was unable to defend and help herself. She was also nonverbal. She was killed intentionally in this fire."
Police say Clark's ex-girlfriend had recently broken up with him and that Clark had information knowing his ex-girlfriend was not home at the time of the fire. But officers say he torched the home knowing her family members were inside. Among them was his ex-girlfriend's sister, Drasher, who lived with cerebral palsy and was killed.
"I don't understand how somebody can be so evil," Drena Drasher, Olivia's mom, said.
Drena Drasher was also in the fire, but she escaped the home with only minor smoke inhalation. She's also now at ease knowing an arrest has been made.
"I knew it was coming. and I was very happy for that because he does not need to be on the street," Drena Drasher said.
And she has this message to her daughter's suspected killer:
"I need him to burn in hell," Drena Drasher said.
On Wednesday, remains of the home are still charred.
If Clark is convicted of the first degree murder charge, it carries an automatic life sentence. He's also charged in connection with spitting on two Darby Township police officers during a body search. He remains locked up in the Delaware County jail.
