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"Christmas Story" Director Killed in L.A. Car Crash

Posted Apr 4th 2007 3:45PM by TMZ Staff

Bob ClarkBob Clark, director of "A Christmas Story" and a producer of the "Porky's" films, was killed today on California's famed Pacific Coast Highway when his car was hit head-on by an SUV driven by a man who was later arrested for being under the influence of alcohol.

Clark's son, 22-year-old Ariel Hanrath-Clark, was riding with his father and was also killed in the crash.

TMZ has learned that police arrested 24-year-old Hector Velazquez-Nava, the driver of the SUV, on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, and that Velazquez-Nava will be booked once he is released from the hospital. We're told that Velazques-Nava had a female passenger whose status is unknown at this time.

According to police, the Clarks were riding in a silver Infiniti around 2.30 AM Wednesday on PCH in Pacific Palisades. The Infiniti was badly damaged in the crash, and the SUV's front end was mangled.

Tags: Bob Clark, BobClark

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16. What a horrible tragedy. We travel the PCH frequently in this very stretch. Prayers to the families.

Posted at 5:11PM on Apr 4th 2007 by kim

17. That is so sad...too bad idiots will never learn to stay home & not drive after they get all f'd up!

Posted at 4:52PM on Apr 4th 2007 by my opinion doesnt matter but here it is anyway

18. My brother lost both his two sons and wife to a drunk driver. I hope that the little Hollywood celebrities who think DUI is so cute wake up and see what damage can be done. And usually it's the innocent victim who gets killed.

Posted at 4:47PM on Apr 4th 2007 by candy

19. This is exactly what happens when irresponsible people get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. Paris, Lindsay, Britney, Nicole…..they’ve all done it….it is recorded by their mug shots and pending court cases. It is amazing none of them have killed someone…yet. When will people learn? This just shouldn’t be tolerated. I see people advocating this guy go to jail for 25 years….what about the precious Paris and other Celebs? Shouldn’t they too be held accountable? Sorry…it just infuriates me to see such a double standard. These are real people out there on the roads with these drunk and disorderly pseudo-celebrities. The public is fascinated by the fact that Lindsay is out clubbing every night but does anyone wonder how the hell she gets home?

Posted at 4:55PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Reality

20. This sucks. I hate drunk drivers and alcoholics.

A Christmas Story was a fantastic film. It's a rare film that really captured the look and feel of old fashioned Hollywood films, and it was never stupid or dumbed down. Bob made some crappy films (Baby Geniuses, Porky's), but the greatness of A Christmas Story really outweighed those junk movies.

We'll miss Bob.

Posted at 5:12PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Janeane The Acerbic Goblin

21. Yet another sad, horrendous case of an idiot who drinks and drives taking the lives of innocent people. I will never understand what people are thinking in cases such as these. My deepest sympathies to the Clark family.

Posted at 5:48PM on Apr 4th 2007 by whatareyoutalkingabout

22. So sad for the family my prayers are with them-------------------and yes Christmas Story is one of my favorites

Posted at 5:40PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Barbara

23. This is why we need to close our Borders, it has nothing to do with discrimination!
When is the government gonna wake up?

Posted at 5:00PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Here we go again

24. Worked with him on American Clock. RIP, Bob.

Posted at 5:02PM on Apr 4th 2007 by bye bye Bob

25. Does it really matter what race he is? The fact is HE killed someone. Why does it always have to be a race war?

Posted at 11:20PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Come on really

26. Many of you are missing the point here, 2 people died. We only know one thing, the person driving the other car we have been told he was drunk. 2 people died late at night, while most of us were sleeping. 2 people died!!!!! Very sad.

Posted at 5:07PM on Apr 4th 2007 by Ronda in St Louis

27. This just goes to show you that no one know's when there gonna go.......
no matter who you are or what you do................
love your family today, tell them, show them...........
you just might not be able to tomorrow.....
so sorry!

Posted at 10:05PM on Apr 4th 2007 by LAURIE

28. P.J. is psycho, get off your soapbox dude. A lot of people drink and have a good time and dont go breaking the law and or taking innocent lives. This Hector whatever his name is, is just another waste of space human stain like we have so many of in this country. It doesnt mean everyone who drinks is going to kill someone, teetotaler.

Posted at 1:21PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Brianna Cool

29. RIP, God Bless!!!! My prayers are with the victims family.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

Posted at 6:50PM on Apr 4th 2007 by RiP

30. This is a sad time for the family and my prayers go out to the family. It is a slap in the face when a drunk driver that kills someone because of there stupidity gets less jail time than a person that commits a crime and does not kill anybody. Where is the justice for these families. The laws really need to be changed.

Posted at 5:16PM on Apr 4th 2007 by robert

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