Identities Released in Deadly Rear-End Crash on Highway 41 in Fresno

A sister missionary has died and her husband was hospitalized on May 18, 2024. Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — The woman killed in a rear-end crash on Highway 41 Saturday night and the suspected DUI driver who crashed into her have been identified.

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman as 65-year-old Mary Hardin of Helotes, Texas.

Officials say Hardin was in the Central Valley serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says 54-year-old David Alvarado of Madera is the suspected DUI driver who crashed into Hardin.

54-year-old David Alvarado of Madera suspect in deadly crash on 41 Freeway. Photo KFSN

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of northbound Highway 41 and Manning Avenue.

The California Highway Patrol says a Nissan and a Camaro were stopped at the intersection’s light when a man driving a Ford pickup truck rear-ended the Nissan, pushing it into the Camaro.

The woman driving the Nissan, now known as Hardin, died at the scene. Her husband, Paul, in the car with Hardin was rushed to the hospital with significant injuries.

The man driving the Camaro and Alvarado, the Ford driver were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Authorities arrested Alvarado for driving under the influence at the time of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.