Fresno, California – Murder charges have been filed in connection with a fatal car crash involving a couple in Fresno County over the weekend. David Alvarado, 54, of Madera, has been accused of driving under the influence when his vehicle rear-ended the couple’s car that was stopped at a red light on Saturday, May 18, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Tragically, Mary Hardin, 65, lost her life at the scene, while her husband, Paul Hardin, 69, passed away in a hospital on Monday. The couple, missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from Helotes, Texas, had been working in the Fresno area since January, as confirmed by the church.
The Fresno County district attorney decided to press murder charges against Alvarado based on his six prior DUI convictions dating back to 1997, including two occurrences in 2019 and one in 2021. Additionally, Alvarado was driving without a valid license at the time of the crash, and a breath analysis indicated his blood alcohol level was significantly over the legal limit of 0.08%, as reported by the CHP.
Alvarado entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday and is currently being held on a $2.7 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for June. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday along northbound Highway 41 in an agricultural area approximately 7 miles south of Fresno. The Hardins, traveling in a Nissan Sentra, were stopped at a red light on Manning Avenue when they were struck from behind by a Ford F-250 driven by Alvarado, causing a chain reaction involving a Chevrolet Camaro in front of them.
The driver of the Camaro and Alvarado both sustained minor injuries in the collision. The tragic events of that evening have left a devastating impact on the family of the victims and the community at large. Efforts to ensure justice for the Hardins and hold Alvarado accountable for his actions are underway as the case progresses through the legal system.