Bensalem Woman Charged with Homicide in Bristol Motorcycle Crash

More than three months after the Newportville Road motorcycle crash that claimed the life of Bristol Township resident John Chester and forever altered the life of his girlfriend, Brianna O’Driscoll, the woman accused of causing the wreck was arrested.

Devon Crispo, 26, of Bensalem, turned herself in at the Bristol Township Police Department  Wednesday morning on several serious charges, including homicide by vehicle while under the influence.

The fatal accident happened at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 as Chester rode his red 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle on Newportville Road, toward Route 13, with O’Driscoll on the back. A 2010 black Acura TSX driven by Crispo stopped at the stop sign and then turned out onto Newportville Road and stuck the couple, an affidavit of probable cause states. Chester has the right of way, traffic investigator Sgt. Chuck Burns said in a release.

The crash caused Chester and O’Driscoll to be ejected off the bike, court records show. The documents also state the couple were then pinned under the Acura and had to be removed by emergency workers using specialized rescue equipment.

According to the affidavit, as a conscious O’Driscoll and the body of the her boyfriend sat trapped under the black Acura, she could hear Crispo state and repeat, “ Oh my God, I’m going to get another DUI!”

Responding Bristol Township officers reported the odor of alcohol on Crispo’s breath.

The 26-year-old told police in an interview that she had consumed 3 glasses of wine before the crash. She also admitted to smoking marijuana and being prescribed pain medication.

Records show that a blood test showed Crispo’s blood alcohol content was .11. The maximum legal level  is .08. Toxicology results also tested positive for marijuana and sedatives clonazepam and aminoclonazepam.

A search of the Acura uncovered burnt marijuana cigar, a half empty bottle of wine, an unopened bottle of wine and numerous prescription pills that were no prescribed to Crispo.

The family of the victim and O’Driscoll sat in court as the defendant was arraigned in front on District Justice Frank Peranteau.

James Chester, the father of the deceased, said Crispo’s arrest has been a relief for the family. Sandi Chester said the death of her son has “ripped us all wide open.”

John Chester served around the world during his 11 years of service with the Army. He also spent time with the National Guard, his family said. He had no children and had recently began working as a field maintenance man for a local company with multiple facilities.  

"The careless actions of another has created a very large hole in our family and all of our lives," said John Chester's brother-in-law, Allen Hibbert. "That hole is a permanent part of our lives now."

On the night of the crash, John Chester and O’Driscoll were heading to meet his father and friends for a fun evening.

“We couldn’t figure out what happened,” the elder Chester said as he recalled waiting for two hours before hearing from a friend about the accident.

The caring father said he waited at the crash site until after midnight as the coroner removed his son’s body.

The family of the victim and O’Driscoll sat in court as the defendant was arraigned on charges of homicide by vehicle while under the influence, homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and numerous other offenses.

Crispo was released on $1 million unsecured bail and will next face a preliminary hearing.