Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Manahawkin College Student

BRISTOL COUNTY, MA — A 22-year-old woman has been charged in the death of a Manahawkin native after he was struck by a car on a Massachusetts college campus earlier this year, authorities said.

Danasia Sampson, of Mattapan, Massachusetts, is charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation in connection with the April death of Frank Petillo Jr., the Bristol County Prosecutor's Office said.

According to a report by Boston ABC affiliate WCVB, Sampson was a fellow student and a resident assistant in Petillo's dorm.

Sampson is expected to be arraigned next month, at which time more information will become available, officials said.

Petillo, a freshman bioengineering student, was hit by a car on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on April 6, according to officials. He later died from his injuries.

His death sparked a Change.org petition at his school demanding better school safety.

"Frankie was a light for many people and in just a short few months created such an impact on the people at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth," the petition read.

In Manahawkin, Petillo was an alum of the Starlight Performing Arts Center, where he was heavily involved in the community.

"Some stars glow a little brighter than others. When you are fortunate enough to be in the room when that star begins to find its light…that star becomes all the more special. It's most painful when stars unexpectedly burn out - especially one that was just beginning to shine," the arts center shared on Facebook when Petillo died. "The world is short one of the kindest humans, a loss we didn't deserve…and it hurts."