Funeral Held For Pedestrian Killed In City Hall Crash
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A community leader and activist is laid to rest Friday morning in Baltimore after being hit and killed by an out-of-control car right in front of City Hall. City leaders, including the mayor, are speaking out about the tragic death of one of its own.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on the death investigation and the plea for justice.
The 43-year-old man was hit and killed in front of dozens. The car that hit him was traveling so fast it overturned.
It's a funeral with honors for Matthew Hersl, a faithful Orioles fan and city employee hit and killed Tuesday afternoon as he left his job at City Hall to go home.
"You can't believe it. You can't deal with it," said Brian Redding, victim's friend.
Friends, family and even Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake were all in attendance for a man called one-of-a-kind.
"He was a true, true gently person," said Stephen Hersl, victim's brother.
"Matt was a fixture in and around City Hall. Everybody loved him. Many of us are still in denial because it was so sudden and tragic," Rawlings-Blake said.
Matthew Hersl worked for the city nearly 30 years. News of his horrific death is still effecting co-workers, who pay respects outside of City Hall where a memorial remains.
It was a tragic scene left behind after Matt Hersl was hit and killed. The car was traveling so fast it overturned, landing upside down. The driver jumped out running but didn't get far thanks to bystanders.
"I grab the guy by his dreadlocks, stepped on his neck and said 'don't move,'" said Cesar Lithgow, witness.
Investigators say the driver was flying down the JFX at more than 100 mph. He exited right near City Hall just as Matt Hersl was walking across the street to go home. The Acura slammed into him, killing him.
The unidentified driver has not been charged. He is free for now to the disbelief of many mourners.
"It's just not fair," a loved one said.
Friends hope the justice system works quickly and so do lawmakers.
"Let's get it right and let's make sure the person that's responsible for this has justice done," said Del. Keiffer Mitchell, D-Baltimore City.
Stephen Hersl says he is not focusing on the charges that may or may not come. He wants to focus only the memory of his brother.
"Caring and loving and giving," he described his brother.
Matthew Hersl lived in Little Italy and organized community cleanups across Baltimore City.
Maryland State Police are not making any further comments until the investigation is complete.
