A former Fortune 500 executive from New Hampshire who caused a highway crash that killed a Vermont couple and their unborn baby said during his sentencing Wednesday that he wasn't suicidal. Prosecutors previously said that Robert Dellinger, 54, told investigators he was trying to kill himself in December 2013 when he drove his pickup truck across a median at more than 100mph and plowed into an oncoming SUV. The crash killed 24-year-old Amanda Murphy, who was eight months pregnant, and her fiance, 29-year-old Jason Timmons. Speaking out: Former Fortune 500 executive Robert Dellinger, 54, said in court during his sentencing Wednesday that he was not suicidal on the day he crashed into a couple's SUV, killing them instantly . Tragic: John Timmons, 29, and Amanda Murphy, 24, were killed instantly in the crash on December 7, 2013 . Pregnant: This is an ultrasound of the couple's unborn baby who they were going to call Reagan Elizabeth . During the first day of what is expected to be a two-day sentencing, the former executive at PPG Industries Inc told the court he has 'never been suicidal.,' according to Valley News. Deborah Dellinger, the defendant's wife, described her husband from the witness stand Wednesday as a 'man of ethics, integrity and friendship' who has lived his life with 'grace and modesty,' despite being plagued with serious health problems. Addressing the victims' families sitting in the courtroom, Mrs Dellinger said: 'We are devastated by the deaths of your loved ones. We have been and continue to pray every day for your collective peace and comfort.' Dellinger reportedly broke down in tears at the defense table as his wife was speaking to the relatives of Murphy and Timmons. Crushed: This is a picture of the scene of the crash after Dellinger careered over the central median in December 2013 . Dellinger pleaded guilty in February to negligent homicide in the deaths of the young couple and to one count of assault for the fetus' death. He faces 12 to 24 years in prison when sentencing resumes Thursday. The defendant also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed in February by the estate of Amanda Murphy. Robert Dellinger's attorneys claimed that the former high-powered executive was suffering from Ambien withdrawal, the effects of a psychiatric drug overdose and Prozac, and the advanced symptoms of multiple sclerosis . Dellinger, who held high-level posts at PPG Industries Inc., Sprint Corp., Delphi Corp. and General Electric Co., told investigators he was trying to kill himself on December 7, 2013, when he steered his pickup across a highway median in Lebanon, New Hampshire. His truck became airborne and sheared the top off of the victims' SUV, causing injuries so severe that the medical examiner said the couple looked like they had been in a plane crash. The Vermont couple, who had met while working at a home for the elderly, were killed instantly. Dellinger, who suffered cuts on his head and face, was initially charged with two counts of reckless manslaughter, which were later upgraded to negligent homicide. Arraignment: Robert J. Dellinger, was is arraigned by video at Lebanon District Court in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on December 11, 2013, a few days after the crash . According to the prosecution, the former executive had argued with his wife over his . medications on the morning of the crash, WMUR reported. 'He was driving around, depressed and loopy,' senior assistant attorney general for New Hampshire Susan Morrell said. 'He saw the median and decided to turn into it.' Dellinger's lawyer, R. Peter Decato, . however called the state's comments 'over the top' and said Dellinger had led a . 'productive and exemplary life.' He . took a severance package worth more than $1million in cash plus stocks . when he left in 2011 because of health reasons, according to documents . filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Records show that a Dellinger family trust owns four property in the town of Sunapee worth $3million in total.
Robert Dellinger, 54, allegedly tried to kill himself in December 2013 by driving across highway, but instead he killed a young couple.
Amanda Murphy, 24, and Jason Timmons, 29, were killed instantly in the crash in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Murphy was eight months pregnant with their first child, a girl.
Dellinger pleaded guilty in February to negligent homicide for their deaths, and to assault for the death of the fetus.
He faces 12 to 24 years in prison when sentencing resumes Thursday.
Deborah Dellinger, defendant's wife, described her husband from the witness stand as a 'man of ethics, integrity and friendship'