Manahawkin Student Killed In Crash At Massachusetts College

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Manahawkin native died after being struck by a car on the campus of a Massachusetts college, officials said.

Frank Petillo, Jr., 19, 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.

A candlelight vigil was held at the school Monday for Petillo and another student who had recently died.

Petillo, a freshman at UMass Dartmouth, was also a 2022 alum of Manahawkin's Starlight Performing Arts Center.

"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. "The world is short one of the kindest humans, a loss we didn’t deserve…and it hurts."

"Frankie was a heavily involved student on the all-star team, group, and private lessons, a working title cast member, a good friend to many, and a role model to our youngest performers," the arts center said.

Petillo's 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, which has nearly 6,000 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon, reads.

"We have to take action now, there is no time to wait when it costs a life," the petition reads. "This should never happen again. We can't let it happen again."