CORINTH – The Corinth man accused of attempting to rape a woman and then intentionally crashing into a group of motorcyclists now faces a murder charge as one of the motorcyclists has died, Saratoga County Sheriff’s officials said Wednesday.
The motorcyclist who died from injuries suffered in the April 7 crash was identified as Paul Hollenbeck, 53, of Corinth.
Dylan K. Vella, 26, of Angel Road, Corinth, now faces one count of second-degree murder, accused of causing Hollenbeck’s death, officials said.
Vella was previously charged with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree attempted assault related to the crash, officials said.
In all, two other motorcyclists and one passenger were injured.
The crash happened at about 5 p.m. that day on Main Street in the Village of Corinth. Vella is accused of intentionally striking the three motorcycles with his Ford Escape SUV, officials said.
Vella’s motive for the crash remains under investigation, officials said, but Vella is accused of intentionally hitting the motorcyclists less than an hour after authorities say he fled the scene of a robbery and attempted rape at the Stewarts Pond Recreation area in Hadley.
Vella is accused of attempting to rape a woman at about 4:15 p.m. at the recreation area.
Vella is accused of attacking the woman in the parking lot and attempting to rape her. He is also accused of forcibly taking the cell phone of the victim’s friend when she tried to take a photo of Vella, officials said.
The women were then able to flee and call 911, officials said.
The woman Vella is accused of attempting to rape escaped with minor physical injuries, officials said. A woman who was with her also escaped, officials said.
Vella left, but a short time later hit the motorcyclists in Corinth, officials said. He then fled that scene on foot, but was taken into custody a short time later.
Vella is charged with first-degree attempted rape and third-degree robbery, felonies, in the Stewarts Pond attack, officials said.
Vella faces up to 25 years to life in state prison, if convicted of the murder charge. Vella was arraigned on the new murder charge Tuesday and ordered held without bail.
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Categories: -News-, Saratoga County
