Vigil Held Outside of Fundraiser for Cop Charged in Fatal DUI Accident
By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Oct 24, 2009 6:30PM
Dozens of family members and friends quietly gathered outside the Fraternal Order of Police hall where supporters raised funds for an officer accused of drunk driving and crashing into a vehicle that killed two men, Chicago Breaking News reports.
In April, Detective Joseph Frugoli crashed his Lexus SUV into "a car that had pulled over on the Dan Ryan Expressway north of 18th Street," the report said. The car burst into flames, killing the two men inside, Andrew Cazares, 23, and Fausto Manzera, 21. Police said Frugoli, who was off duty, had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit. Frugoli is also accused of leaving the scene of a crime.
At the vigil, people carried signs, candles and photos of Cazares and Manzera. They said the fundraiser for Frugoli's legal fees showed callousness and that some officers act as though they are above the law, the report said.
Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue said that the FOP did not support the event, but stated members had the right to use the building. The FOP was not taking sides one way or the other regarding the Frugoli case, Donahue stressed.