The Vanderhorst verdict: Looking for answers

Here's what we know about the accident that took the life of Dante DeSimone on Jan 12, 2014.

Jonathan Vanderhorst was driving east on Baltimore Pike and attempted to turn left into the McDonald's. His Ford Taurus collided with a pickup truck operated by Mark Greenslade, who was heading west on the Pike.

The impact sent the truck up onto the sidewalk outside the McDonald's, where DeSimone and some friends were walking. The truck struck DeSimone, as well as one of his friends, Tim Robison.

DeSimone, a very popular athlete who had graduated from Upper Darby HIgh, where he played ice hockey and lacrosse for four years and was captain of the lacrosse team, died of his injuries. He had been home for the Christmas break after completing his first semester at Neumann University.

Eventually Vanderhorst was charged with a host of charges, including homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault while DUI and DUI rendering him incapable of operating a motor vehicle.

But yesterday a Delaware County jury, after hearing conflicting testimony in terms of whether Vanderhorst was impaired, acquitted him of all but a single charge of DUI.

The prosecution had argued that medical tests showed Vanderhorst was under the influence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, as well as the anti-anxiety drug Clonazepam, for which he had a prescription. The defense's witnesses disputed findings that Vanderhorst was impaired at the time of the accident.

The jury agreed.

Moments after I posted the initial verdict on our website, it exploded with comments of outrage at the verdict.

I understand their feelings.

We want to know why a great kid like Dante DeSimone was taken so young, and we want to blame someone for it. I don't question those who trash the system and rant about justice in Delaware County.

At the same time, I also feel a bit for Vanderhorst. His face has appeared on the front page of this newspaper any number of times in connection with this incident. I wonder how many people will remember that he was acquitted of most of the serious charges. That's one of the reasons it was our lead story today, and not simply tucked inside.

Is it possible this tragic incident was something else altogether, simply an accident. Two cars collided. One went out of control and took a young man's life.

It is natural to look to assign blame.

I feel for the DeSimone family. I also feel for the plight of Vanderhorst.

We report the news; we don't have all the answers. Certainly we don't in this sad case.