Media

Seven Teenagers Killed In Weekend Car Crash In North-West Shelby County

Release Date: March 1, 2004

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies say a teenager with no driver's license died with six of his friends when the car he was driving car crashed on a rural road near Millington.

Officers say Michael Fradella, 15, of Millington, only had a Tennessee Learner's Permit. He was driving west on Chambers Road near Quito Road about 2:30 yesterday morning when the 1991 Mazda Protégé apparently topped a hill at a high speed, crossed the double yellow line and crashed into a tree. Deputies say Fradella and the six other passengers in the car were dead at the scene. All of the teenagers lived in the Millington area.

Here are the identities of the seven victims:

• Michael Fradella, 15 (driver of the car)
• Clifford Gordon Hanna, III, (also known as “Trey”), 13
• Eric Sansone, 14
• Lauren Sutherland, 14
• Samantha Stawizynski, 13
• Jessica Wallace, 13
• Crystal Smith, 13

Officers say speed and reckless driving caused the crash. No alcohol or drugs were found in the car. However, toxicology tests have been ordered by the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office. Those results should be known within a few weeks.

A memorial service for the teenagers will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at 7 p.m., at Crosspointe Baptist Church. The church is located at 8850 Highway 51 North in Millington. For information about the memorial service, contact Pastor Steve Flockhart at (901) 872-4413.