In M E M O R Y 
Hamburg community mourns the loss of Douglass student 

The Frederick Douglass High School community is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Matthew Perrine, a student-athlete who died following a head-on collision on Bryan Station Road in April. Perrine was a member of the school’s junior varsity baseball team.

Frederick Douglas High School Executive Principal Lester Diaz released a statement following Perrine’s death, “Our Bronco family is grieving the loss of a Frederick Douglass High School student who passed away unexpectedly following a car accident,” adding, “We are also deeply concerned for another student involved who is in critical condition. Our hearts are with their families and friends.”

A Douglass student remembered Matthew, “Every class he had he lit up the room with his humor and his personality. He was a good friend to many.” 

A Coach shared his memories, saying, “Anytime I was around Matthew it was nothing but smiles and jokes. When he was on the field it was nothing but happiness for him.”

The Frederick Douglass Baseball program has established a gofundme for donations to the students’ families. 

Visitation is scheduled for 3 pm to 5:30 pm on Sunday May 4 at Frederick Douglass High School.

This article appears on page 5 of the May 2025 print edition of Hamburg Journal.