DUI, Assault Charges Filed In Delco Crash That Injured 4 Nuns

A 21-year-old Delaware County man is facing numerous charges, including nine felonies, stemming from a head-on crash that occurred in December 2017 in the county that seriously injured four Catholic nuns, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday, March 1.

Dylan J. Dostellio, 21, of Upper Chichester, has been charged with four counts of felony aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence; four counts of felony aggravated assault by vehicle; one count of felony accidents involving death or injury; one count of driving under the influence of a controlled substance; and one count of possession of a controlled substance, the DA's office said.

Dostellio also faces related driving charges such as careless driving, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and more, according to the DA's office.

The head-on crash occurred on Dec. 10, 2017 on Route 322 in Bethel Township and left four nuns seriously injured.

As part of the initial phase of the investigation, Bethel Police tried to identify and interview the driver – later identified as Dostellio – of the vehicle that crashed head-on into the vehicle with the nuns, the DA's office said.

However Dostellio was unable to provide any information at the time due to injuries, authorities said.

While trying to identify Dostellio, police searched his jacket and pants pockets and found a wallet with a bag containing cocaine, according to the DA's office.

Then on Friday, Jan. 19, authorities received results of a toxicology report from Dostellio's blood taken on Dec. 10 which showed he was "a recent user" of clonazepam (a prescription tranquilizer drug used to treat supersize and other movement disorders), marijuana, and cocaine, the DA's office said.

"I would like to commend Bethel Township Police for their swift response to the crash scene and their assistance in this investigation, along with CID detectives and members of the Delaware County Crash Team who are experts in reconstructing crash scenes for our county," Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland said. "As a result of the efforts of police and investigators, we were able to charge Mr. Dostellio who caused injury and harm to these four innocent women through his reckless behavior and actions."

Dostellio was remanded to the county jail after failing to post 10 percent of $25,000 bail at his preliminary arraignment on March 1, according to court documents.

He is slated to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 22, court records show.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office