Mattapan lady charged with hanging, killing UMass Dartmouth scholar with automotive

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Danasia Sampson allegedly hit a fellow scholar, Frank Petillo Jr., on campus in April.

The College of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Blake Nissen/The Boston Globe

A 22-year-old Mattapan lady was charged in reference to the dying of UMass Dartmouth scholar Frank Petillo Jr., who was struck and killed by a automotive on campus in April. 

Danasia Sampson faces a cost of Motor Car Murder by Negligent Operation, in accordance with Bristol County District Legal professional Thomas M. Quinn III. She will likely be arraigned in New Bedford District Court docket on Nov. 7. 

Campus Police responded to a name relating to a pedestrian who was struck by a automotive on campus at about 5:30 p.m. on April 6. Petillo, a 19-year-old freshman who was learning bioengineering, was discovered mendacity within the highway with “important accidents,” Quinn’s workplace mentioned. He was delivered to St. Luke’s Hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless. 

Sampson, additionally a scholar, was discovered on the scene. She was driving a grey Honda Accord, officers mentioned. Witnesses informed WCVB that Petillo was strolling with a good friend in entrance of his dorm. 

Petillo grew up in Manahawkin, N.J., in accordance with a web-based obituary. He was a pure performer, showing in theater productions from the age of 6. A member of two theater firms, Petillo additionally took faucet, jazz, ballet, and voice lessons. He carried out in a number of performs and musicals in highschool, in addition to becoming a member of the jazz ensemble and choir. Petillo was on the varsity monitor staff, the place he competed as a sprinter. 

At UMass Dartmouth, Petillo “ immersed himself in campus life,” his household wrote. He labored within the library, served as chair {of professional} improvement for the Pupil Alumni Affiliation, joined the lacrosse membership staff, carried out within the UMass Dartmouth Theatre Firm’s manufacturing of “The Addams Household,” and volunteered within the School of Engineering’s tutoring program. 

“I wouldn’t want this on anyone on the earth,” his father, Frank Petillo Sr., informed WCVB in September. “It’s been a tricky highway these previous few months. It’s been actually robust.”

After authorities concluded their investigation into the matter final month, police filed a legal quotation towards Sampson. A listening to was held Thursday, the place the clerk Justice of the Peace decided that possible trigger existed and Sampson was formally charged.