7 teenagers die in Millington (Tenn) joyride

The Commercial Appeal ^ | 3/1/04 | Chris Conley

[GailA]

7 teenagers die in Millington joyride Why?

By Chris Conley Contact March 1, 2004

A late-night joyride turned to tragedy when a 15-year-old crashed the car he was driving into a tree near Millington, killing himself and six friends.

A passing motorist discovered the crushed car and the teens on Chambers Road, between Quito and Epperson Mill roads, about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Police said they did not know exactly when it happened. The teens, all students at Millington Middle School, were dead when police arrived.

They were identified as Michael Fradella, 15, the driver; and passengers Trey Hannah, 15; Lauren Sutherland, 15; Samantha Stawizynski, 15; Jessica Wallace, 13; Crystal Smith, 13; and Eric Sansone, 14.

The 1991 Mazda Protege topped a low hill at high speed in the westbound lane of Chambers, went airborne, bounded across the eastbound lanes and hit the tree sideways, Shelby County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Shular said.

The tree-lined road runs through a semirural area northwest of Millington.

There was no evidence of alcohol use, Shular said. Routine toxicological tests have been ordered.

Michael was driving on a learner's permit, Shular said.

Tennessee law says that holders of learner's permits must have a licensed driver 21 or older in the car and may not drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The four girls had been at a slumber party at Crystal's home, Shular said.

The girls were in the care of Crystal's grandmother, who was not identified.

The girls apparently locked the bedroom door behind them and left through a window. The screen on the window showed signs of being pried open, Shular said.

When deputies arrived at the crash site, they were unable to find any identification, Shular said.

Then a cell phone in the wreckage started ringing, and deputies picked it up. Michael Fradella's father was calling.

Michael Fradella's brother, Joe Fradella, recalled:

"I woke up about 5 o'clock and my dad said, 'I can't find your brother. We need to go look for him.' He had taken the keys to my dad's car while everyone was asleep, around 2 or 2:30. I guess he went out and scooped up his friends."

When they called Michael's cell phone, a police officer answered.

Joe Fradella said he believed the car was traveling about 80 miles an hour and skidded about 60 feet before hitting the tree.

"I guess a joyride, or something," the brother said.

"It's tragic," Shular said. "They all knew each other; they were very close."

Friends and family members converged on the site, at times clogging the road. Car parts were scattered across the area around the tree.

Some visitors had flowers to lay on the ground by the tree.

Others, weeping and being held up by friends, threw themselves down in front of the tree and were pulled away by friends.

The tragedy "is going to make parents pay close attention to where their kids are," said Eddie Matlock, whose stepdaughter was good friends with several of the victims.

He said he became concerned that she was among the victims after hearing about the tragedy. The girl stayed with her father that night as planned, he said.

"But when I first heard about it, I wanted to see her myself," Matlock said.

John Launius, a schoolteacher at Crosspointe Baptist Church, where he had taught some of the children, came to the site to pay his respects.

"They were good kids. A lot of kids loved them," he said, wiping away tears.

Sara Morris , 14, said she had been close friends with both Michael Fradella and Trey Hannah.

She said Michael had just gotten his learner's permit and was excited about it.

Morris said she called Trey "Trey-Trey," and that they often walked to the local library together.

[ladyinred]

Oh what a horrible story. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these kids who must just be so devastated.

[Denver Ditdat]

Often when I read posts such as this I can't help but think that the only difference between those kids and me is that I survived the stupid stuff I did when I was their age. One can only hope that their friends have taken this incident to heart and won't have to relearn it themselves.

[oyez]

Channel 5 was nice enough to det up a tribute on their website.

[oyez]

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=1678917

[Bellflower]

May God send special graces to these families, and to the community.,

Amen. Only he can grasp the depth of their sorrow. May he comfort them.

[gdc61]

mark me as wrong, check post#184

[af_vet_1981]

The victims were all Millington Middle School students, the oldest a mere 15. They were killed when the car in which they were riding crashed beside a stretch of country road near Millington early Sunday morning. At 2:30 a.m., a passerby discovered the wreckage, along with the bodies of Michael Fradella, Trey Hannah, Lauren Sutherland, Samantha Stawizynski, Jessica Wallace, Crystal Smith and Eric Sansone.

Keep car keys away from irresponsible teenagers (or adults). They can be as lethal as firearms. What a senseless end to young lives. Thank G-d they did not kill anyone else in their folly. I wish they had not died.

[KneelBeforeZod]

They would be alive if only the police didn't continue to insist on high-speed chases.

oops sorry. wrong thread.

[KneelBeforeZod]

"Isn't it funny whenever somebody dies, it's always 'Good old Joe'"

Bruce Dern in "The Cowboys"

[KneelBeforeZod]

Are we to assume it's only tragic because they only killed themselves? What if they ran over some people crossing the street?

[KneelBeforeZod]

Heres a flip side to the story, more kids on harmless joyride. They took the car without permission from the aunt of one of the juveniles. This one turned out different. Chris Myhra was my college roomate for a few years. The aunt filed a stolen car report and fingered her newphew. When she found out her nephew was up for felony murder of a police officer, she refused to file charges. The DA never pursued it. So Chris died and left behind 3 kids, and no one will pay for it.

---

With great pain and saddness, I must report to you that one of our own has passed away. On Sunday (07/14/02) morning at 4AM, Chris Myhra was involved in a fatal traffic collision on Highway 580 near 205 in Tracy, CA. No one else was injured in the accident.

Preliminary indications are that three juveniles stole a car, but when the car stalled, they abandoned it in the fast lane with its lights off. Officer Chris Myhra struck the car from behind, and was killed instantly. He would have been 30 years old in August.

Officer Chris Myhra leaves behind a wife, and three children ages 8, 4 and 22 months.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a fund set up for his childrens' education. Checks can be mailed to:

The Hayward Police Association
Chris Myhra Survivors Fund
300 W. Winton Ave.
Hayward, CA 94545

---

[hurly]

I agree that the kids weren't deserving of death, but their stupid stunt was. I read post #184 and that is exactly what I was talking about.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I'd say that Axel Paulsen Sr. just learned what a callous fool he raised for a son. At least in his case, he was fortunate to have you survive your foolishness

First place Axel Jr. would have never done such a thing as to sneak out in the middle of the night. Second place, I am sick and tired of knee-jerk sorts such as yourself who take such a comment as mine, and turn it into that I wanted the kids to die, or they deserved what they got, or that I am callous.

I meant nothing of the sort by my comment. Now go off in your self righteousnes and continue to pray for yourself as well.

[mel]

I do like your point about the dichotomy. Good points

[Amore]

"Let me guess, you never did anything real stupid when you were a kid, right? Get real."

Oh come on, what a predictable response. And the answer is no, I didn't. I didn't hang around with kids who snuck out of the house and drove illegally. My friends were a responsible sort, as was I. If you weren't, that's your own look out.

[Joe Hadenuf]

And the answer is no, I didn't. I didn't hang around with kids who snuck out of the house and drove illegally. My friends were a responsible sort, as was I. If you weren't, that's your own look out.

You musta been a weird kid. I wouldn't broadcast it.

[Frapster]

Amen!

[PLMerite]

Not too bright, either. I'm sure they all called home and checked with their parents before they went out with a punk idiot 15-year-old driver in a pickup truck at night.