McDonald`s Crash Driver Delusional

A defense lawyer said his client was not trying to commit suicide when his car crashed into a McDonald's restaurant last month, killing three women. Frank Nastasi was "delusional" when he told investigators that he deliberately floored the gas pedal in the May 15 crash, attorney Charles Nugent Jr. said.

"It was a tragic accident. Nothing more," Nugent told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nastasi, who spoke to investigators from his hospital bed after the crash, "was probably under the influence of some medication" when he made the statement, Nugent said.

The distinction is vital to the case, because unless authorities "can turn it into a suicide, (the car crash) is not a crime," Nugent said.

Acting Camden County Prosecutor James Lynch declined comment.

Nastasi, 52, of Haddon Heights, drove his Cadillac DeVille across an intersection, over a curb and through the restaurant's glass front window, killing three employees.

Authorities said the car was going more than 95 mph when it hit the restaurant on the Black Horse Pike.

Nastasi, who was freed on $375,00 bail Thursday, has been charged with three counts of aggravated manslaughter. He faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

The victims were Joanne Bowen, 52, of Mount Ephraim; Nancy King, 49, of Audubon; and Cindy Molino, 45, of Mount Ephraim.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: 6 ABC-AP