Repeat DUI driver charged with death of woman in wheelchair
Andrew Acito has previous convictions for driving under the influence of intoxicants and theft, according to court records, but on Saturday he stole something that can never be replaced when, police say, he killed a homeless woman in a wheelchair while he was driving intoxicated in North Philadelphia.
Andrew Acito has previous convictions for driving under the influence of intoxicants and theft, according to court records, but on Saturday he stole something that can never be replaced when, police say, he killed a homeless woman in a wheelchair while he was driving intoxicated in North Philadelphia.
Instead of stopping to help the victim, police said, Acito, 29, left the scene and his vehicle struck a second pedestrian before he was captured by authorities.
Acito, of Glenolden, was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, and related offenses.
Acito was driving his 2004 Ford F-250 east on Lehigh Avenue near Mascher Street around 1:40 a.m. when the vehicle struck Heyl, who was in the wheelchair in the center median of the road, police said. Acito then sped off and his vehicle allegedly struck a second pedestrian, an 18-year-old woman who was on foot. He did not stop to help her, either, police said.
Police eventually pulled him over for running a red light at Lehigh Avenue and B Street.
The 18-year-old victim, who suffered minor injuries, identified Acito's vehicle as the one that had struck her and the other victim, police said. Heyl was taken to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:11 a.m.
According to court records and news reports, Acito has a lengthy criminal history involving drugs, theft and motor vehicle violations in Delaware County.
In 2005, he pleaded guilty to DUI and theft and was sentenced to serve three to six days in Delaware County Prison, two years' probation, and 80 hours of community service, court records said.
In 2011, he made headlines when he was caught breaking into unlocked cars in Ridley Township and then fought with the officer who tried to apprehend him, according to a report in the Delaware County Daily Times. Acito pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle, loitering and prowling at night, and resisting arrest and was sentenced to serve 4 to 10 months in county prison, according to court records.
In January, Acito was cited for failing to obey traffic signals while driving, and in June, he was cited for illegally parking, according to magisterial district court records.
Acito remains in jail, unable to post 10 percent of $1 million bail.
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