Latter-day Saint missionary husband dies of injuries from car crash that killed his wife

Tad Walch
·2 min read
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Sister Mary Hardin and her husband, Elder Paul Hardin were involved in a traffic accident on Saturday evening, May 18, 2024, in Fresno County, California. Sister Hardin died at the scene on Saturday. Elder Hardin died Monday.
Sister Mary Hardin and her husband, Elder Paul Hardin were involved in a traffic accident on Saturday evening, May 18, 2024, in Fresno County, California. Sister Hardin died at the scene on Saturday. Elder Hardin died Monday. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Paul Hardin died Monday of injuries sustained in the car crash that caused the death of his wife, Sister Mary Hardin, on Saturday in Fresno County, California.

The Hardins had been serving as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Fresno Mission since January 2024.

“It is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of Elder Paul Hardin on Monday, May 20, 2024, in a Fresno, California, hospital,” church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement released Tuesday morning. “Elder Hardin had been hospitalized since Saturday evening after suffering critical injuries in an accident that claimed the life of his eternal companion, Sister Mary Hardin. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the Hardin family with the tragic loss of these faithful missionaries. We pray that all who are mourning will be blessed with strength and comforted in their faith in the Savior Jesus Christ.”

The couple were stopped at a red light when a Ford F250 pickup traveling north on Highway 41 at a high rate of speed rear-ended the Hardins’ Nissan Sentra just south of Manning Avenue. The force of the collision caused the Hardins’ vehicle to lurch forward and collide with a Chevrolet Camaro in front of it, the California Highway Patrol told YourCentralValley.com.

Sister Hardin, who was 65, was driving the Sentra. She died at the scene.

Elder Hardin, who was 69, initially was hospitalized with critical injuries.

The sole occupant of the Camaro suffered minor injuries.

The CHP arrested David Alvarado, 54, of Madera, California, and booked him into jail on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, YourCentralValley.com reported. The CHP said Alvarado was driving the Ford F250. He was transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.