Bob Clark dies in crash

Apr 05, 2007 by Ian Evans

Film director Bob Clark, who shot the holiday staple A Christmas Story, died along with his son when his car was hit by a drunken driver Wednesday.

Clark, 67, and his 22-year-old son, Ariel Hanrath-Clark, were killed in a head-on collision when the drunk driver, Hector Velazquez-Nava, 24, switched into the wrong lane.

The driver was arrested and booked for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Clark is most famous for directing A Christmas Story, where Ralphie pines for an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle.

The maker of the family classic started off in horrors and thrillers, making films like Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, Murder by Decree, Breaking Point and Black Christmas.

In 1981, he made the teen sex comedy Porky’s. He also helmed Rhinestone, Turk 182!, and
Loose Cannons.