Pennsylvania Woman Charged in Alleged ‘Huffing’ Crash

September 14, 2009

A suburban Philadelphia woman has been charged with homicide by vehicle in a fatal crash that police say happened after she used an inhalant.

Upper Darby police say 20-year-old Rachael Jankins initially told them she was looking for her iPod when she veered onto the sidewalk and struck two women on Aug. 14.

But authorities say toxicology test now show that she had been ‘huffing’ compressed air and had marijuana in her system.

Jankins was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle and other counts on Thursday.

Bail has been set at 10 percent of $250,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

It wasn’t immediately known if Jankins, of Havertown, had an attorney.

A 19-year-old woman was killed instantly in the crash. A 20-year-old woman was seriously injured.