Tragic Death: Girl Killed By Drunk Driver

Andrew M. Fraticelli of Collinsville was charged Monday with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a crash Friday night that fatally injured 12-year-old girl Amari Clark.

According to reports, police are speculating that the 20 year old suspect was high on heroin when he caused the terrible car crash that proved fatal for little Amari Clark. He was being held in the St. Clair County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

The police have reported that Andrew M. Fraticelli was driving southbound in a 1996 Jeep Cherokee when he crossed the center line of Illinois Route 159 near Stonewolf Trail.  Fraticelli then collided with the vehicle driven by Apryl Sherrod of Shiloh who was driving 2002 Ford Taurus.

Andrew M. Fraticelli of Collinsville was charged Monday with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a crash Friday night that fatally injured 12-year-old girl Amari Clark.

According to reports, police are speculating that the 20 year old suspect was high on heroin when he caused the terrible car crash that proved fatal for little Amari Clark. He was being held in the St. Clair County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

The police have reported that Andrew M. Fraticelli was driving southbound in a 1996 Jeep Cherokee when he crossed the center line of Illinois Route 159 near Stonewolf Trail.  Fraticelli then collided with the vehicle driven by Apryl Sherrod of Shiloh who was driving 2002 Ford Taurus.

Apryl Sherrod suffered extensive injuries in the crash, including bruises, a sprained ankle and more than 100 stitches in her tongue and forehead, and was unconscious at the scene.  Her daughter, Amari Clark, was taken to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis where she later succumbed to her injuries and died.

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly stated, “It breaks your heart,” “My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”

In situations like this, the elevated charges of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence are needed to deter similar acts in the future and to hold the responsible the drunk driver accountable.  In a personal injury lawsuit against Fraticelli, he would be liable for both negligence and also possibly punitive damages.  In a situation like this, the family needs to find an attorney so that their interests are protected.

There is nothing more important than life, and now because of Fraticelli’s careless, wanton and willful acts, the lives of this family will never be the same.  No jail sentence or civil penalty will ever make things right, but it will certainly help this family move forward and make our society as a whole a safer place for having done so.

The funeral and wake for Amari Clark will be held at New Life Christ at 689 Scott Troy Road in O’Fallon, IL. The wake will be held from 10-12p and the funeral from 12-2p.

Tyson Mutrux