Local college mourns loss of faculty member killed in Highway 41 crash in Fresno

A Fresno man was identified Wednesday by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as the person killed in a wrong-way, head-on crash on Highway 41 near the North Friant Road offramp in Fresno on Tuesday.

Matthew Hurst, 50, was identified as the driver of the Hyundai involved in the collision.

Madera Community College District public information officer Michele Corbett said Hurst was a science laboratory coordinator in Madera.

Hurst worked in the State Center Community College District for 23 years, Corbett said.

“We are all mourning the sudden loss of our esteemed colleague,” STEM & CTE Dean of Instruction Dr. Ganesan Srinivasan said. “Matt was passionate about his work and a true champion for student success. He was kind, always helping others, and always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community. He will be greatly missed and is a huge loss to Madera Community College.”

The California Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred around 4:25 p.m. on northbound 41 just south of the offramp, causing traffic to back up on the highway during rush hour.

Hurst was traveling south in a Hyundai on the 41 when the vehicle crossed the highway median where it’s grass only and into northbound traffic.

The car crossed all lanes of northbound traffic then collided head-on with a Range Rover that was exiting the highway at the Friant offramp.

The 56-year-old driver of the Range Rover was not seriously injured.

Madera Community College president Dr. Ángel Reyna said Hurst meant a lot to the college.

“Matt was like family here at Madera Community College,” Reyna said. “He was passionate about serving students and a highly respected colleague. He had the biggest heart and was a friend to many. We are all saddened by the news.”

This story was originally published July 21, 2021 at 1:01 PM.