DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) — A University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth freshman was hit and killed by a car on campus, 12 News has learned.
In a message to students, faculty and staff, UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller said bioengineering student Frank Petillo Jr. died after he was hit by a car on Ring Road Thursday.
“Please keep Frank’s family, friends, and classmates in your thoughts and prayers,” Fuller wrote. “He will be sorely missed.”
The Bristol County District Attorney’s office said the student driver remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
A memorial now lays outside a residence hall close to where Petillo was killed.
“We all felt something,” UMass Dartmouth student Kyrillos Kedees said. “We were all really upset.”
Several students are now raising concerns for their safety while walking around campus.
“When you go further down Ring Road, we don’t have sidewalks so we are walking out onto the main road,” one student told 12 News. “I’m frustrated. The whole student body is frustrated. We come here to be safe we come here to learn we don’t come here to die.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for Monday at 8 p.m. in front of the Claire T. Carney Library for Frank and another student who died earlier this week. The details of the other student’s death have not been released.
The university is extending its counseling hours through 7 p.m. Friday. UMass Dartmouth also has an after-hours support helpline, which can be reached by calling (508) 910-4357.
The incident remains under investigation.
Read Fuller’s message to the community below:
Dear UMass Dartmouth Community,
I am writing to share the tragic news that, earlier today, first-year Bioengineering student Frank Petillo, Jr., was fatally struck by a vehicle on campus.
This has been a very difficult week for the Corsair community. We feel a collective pain even if we do not personally know those who have passed. We sit in class together. We work together. We pass each other in the halls. We are often more connected than we realize. If you need support, please reach out to someone.
We are providing additional hours at the Counseling Center tomorrow (Friday) until 7 p.m. Additionally, the after-hours Support Help Line can be reached at 508-910-4357. You may request an appointment on weekdays (regular hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) by calling 508-999-8648, and you can learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at www.umassd.edu/counseling. The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life has campus ministers from several faith traditions who provide confidential pastoral counseling and can be reached at 508-999-8872.
Faculty and staff needing support are encouraged to call Human Resources at 508-999-8060 and take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling. EAP benefits may be accessed by calling 844-393-4983 or visiting their website and entering our company ID: UMASS to speak to a counseling professional.
Please keep Frank’s family, friends, and classmates in your thoughts and prayers. He will be sorely missed.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Fuller, PhD
Chancellor
