Bloomingdale High School Football Standout, 2015 Grad Dies In Crash

BRANDON, FL ? Friends of the Chiarenza family of Brandon are offering aid and comfort after 25-year-old Matthew Chiarenza was killed in a vehicle accident shortly after 1 a.m. Monday.

According to Lakeland police, Matthew Chiarenza was driving his 2013 Toyota Rav4 in the area of County Line Road and Swindell Road when the Toyota struck a tree.

He is the son of Chuck and Pearl Chiarenza.

Pearl Chiarenza is a well-known Brandon area motivational speaker, author, life coach and producer of the podcast, "Conversations With Pearl," and is active in chambers and nonprofit organizations in the Brandon and Riverview area.

But first and foremost, Chuck and Pearl Chiarenza were devoted parents who put their two sons, Matthew and Nate, above all else.

After attempting to become parents for 10 years, the Chiarenzas adopted Matthew with the support of the Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive & Foster Families in Brandon. Pearl Chiarenza said she never forgot the help the center provided. She went on to become a major supporter and community liaison for the center.

Matthew proved to be a natural athlete who excelled on the gridiron as a member of the Bloomingdale High School Bulls football team and was recruited out of high school his senior year in 2015 by Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Most recently, Matthew Chiarenza, who was living in Lakeland, traded in his football cleats for boxing gloves, and became an avid participant in kick boxing and mixed martial arts.

"He loved everyone he met, had a kind heart, loved football and his teammates, and gave all on the field," Pearl Chiarenza said, describing her eldest son. "He loves his family so much, was so proud of Nate, worried about his dad's health, and he always gave me great conversations over sushi."

Just last weekend, Chiarenza said the entire family visited The Florida Aquarium together.

"I will cherish that day forever as well as this past Saturday when he cut Chuck's hair and spent some time cutting up with me," she said.

The Angels Foundation of Florida Network has started a fund for the Chiarenzas to help them with funeral expenses. Donations can be made here.