Woman charged with vehicular homicide in crash that killed UMass Dartmouth freshman

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE) — A 22-year-old woman was charged in a crash that killed a University of Massachusetts Dartmouth student earlier this year, prosecutors said Friday.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Danasia Sampson, of Mattapan, Massachusetts, faces a motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation charge.

UMass Dartmouth police were alerted of a student struck on campus at about 5:30 p.m. on April 6.

Campus officers found Frank Petillo Jr. on Ring Road with significant injuries. A gray Honda Accord, driven by Sampson, stayed on scene.

Petillo, 19, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died.

The UMass freshman was from New Jersey.

Sampson was charged after a lengthy investigation by Massachusetts State Police and the district attorney.

A trooper filed a criminal citation against her last month.

Sampson appeared for a probable cause hearing Thursday, where prosecutors determined she could be formally charged.

Authorities said more information is forthcoming pending her arraignment in New Bedford District Court on Nov. 7.