Wild Burro Accident Claims Motorist’s Life; Friends Identify Victim as Details Emerge

The man killed Friday night after his vehicle struck a wild burro on State Route 95 has been identified as Lake Havasu City resident Gary Fratus.

Gary Fratus, 81, was a retired auto mechanic. Around 11 p.m. Friday, Havasu authorities say Fratus was traveling northbound on State Route 95 in the vicinity of Airport Centre Boulevard when he struck a wild burro in the roadway. His vehicle then entered the highway’s southbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a box truck.

Initial reports indicated that Fratus was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, he later succumbed to his injuries while under hospital care.

Havasu resident Cyndi Lou, a long-time acquaintance, spoke fondly of Fratus. “He lived in Havasu for more than 26 years, and ran his shop out of a storage facility,” Lou said. “He was the go-to man for anyone with special car needs. Either he fixed it or found someone who could.”

Originally from Fort Knox, Fratus gained a reputation for his automotive skills in various drag racing circuits. In 2011, Drag Racer magazine featured him for his expertise. He was also a drag racer aiming to beat his speed record of 175 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Lou reminisced, “We were very close to Gary and will miss him greatly. He was a veteran. I’m planning a veteran’s ceremony for him. Gary would give you the shirt off his back. He loved coffee and donuts every Friday with his car people.”

The investigation into the incident continues. The Lake Havasu City Police Department may release additional information later this week.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Mohave County hosts the largest herd of wild burros in the country. As of 2023, almost 2,000 burros reside in the county, far exceeding the BLM’s “appropriate management level” of 478 in the Black Mountain Herd Management Area. Local and federal officials have been concerned about burro overpopulation for over a decade, and this incident may heighten those worries among residents.

A request for further information from the BLM was not returned.