A car accident took the life of the Rev. Arturo Da’Naire Frazier, a youth pastor at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church in Compton.
According to the L.A. County Coroner, Frazier, 39, a driver on Atlantic Avenue struck him on Dec. 11. The Sentinel originally reported the accident was a hit-and-run, however, his sister, Tyoni Reed, said that information was not accurate.
Reed said Frazier had just left Unity Christian Fellowship Church and was crossing the street to reach his own car when he was hit by a vehicle.
“The driver stopped immediately and gave assistance,” said Reed. “They called the police and they are cooperating with authorities.”
The impact occurred around 8:38 p.m., underneath the 710 Freeway overpass. When emergency crews arrived, they found Frazier unresponsive and soon pronounced him dead.
Reed also added that on Dec. 9, Frazier posted an inspiring video on Facebook about the worship service at Unity.
Overwhelmed by the news of Frazier’s passing, his pastor, Bishop Richard D. Sanders, posted on Facebook, “God help me…my son…I can’t trace the sense in this tragedy, but I can trust the sovereignty of my God!”
In an email message, the Rev. Xavier Thompson, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of L.A. and Southern California, said, “This sudden and tragic event shatters our sense of order and thrusts us into a world forever changed. In times such as this, let us always remember that the Sovereign Savior is looking for us to look at Him. Please keep Rev. Frazier’s mother, sister and family in your prayers.”
A popular preacher in the Los Angeles area, Frazier was born and raised in Compton. In a Sept. 2006 L.A. Sentinel profile, he revealed that he received his call to ministry during his freshman year at Southern University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2003.
At Mount Pilgrim, Frazier directed the church’s Save Our Youth Today and Tomorrow program. He also worked as a liaison for then-Councilman Isadore Hall III, a project manager for Los Angeles Urban League, and a field representative for District 62 of the California State Assembly.
Frazier’s homegoing celebration is set for Thursday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m., at Love and Unity Christian Fellowship, 1840 S. Wilmington Ave., in Compton.
Editor’s Note: This story is an update of the printed article.
