Polk State Mourns Loss of Student Matthew Kersey

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

As it prepares for its Spring commencement ceremony this evening, Polk State College is also pausing to mourn the death of student Matthew Kyle Kersey, who was killed earlier this week.

Kersey, an Auburndale resident who was only days shy of his 19th birthday, died on Monday after being hit by a passing truck on U.S. 92 in Auburndale.

Polk State President Eileen Holden expressed her condolences to Kersey’s family and friends and lamented the tragic end to such a short life.

“At Polk State College, we know that our students have bright futures ahead. Events such as these are always met with great sadness within the Polk State family because we know the great potential each and every student possesses,” she said.

Kersey’s death compounds the sense of loss already coursing through the College community. Last week, students Joe Palacios and Christian Rodriguez were killed in a shooting in Winter Haven.

Kersey enrolled at Polk State in January and was pursuing an Associate in Arts degree in the advising track of mass communications.

A service for Kersey is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday outside the Auburndale Public Library.