NORWALK CHEF KILLED IN CRASH TOOK ‘GREAT PRIDE’ IN HIS WORK

Norwalk — A 54-year-old city man who died after he was hit by a car while walking in Westport was remembered as a dedicated chef.

Matthew Balga was struck by a vehicle late in the evening on March 4, outside of his workplace in the area of 575 Riverside Ave., Westport police said.

Lt. Eric Woods said Westport police responded to a report that a southbound vehicle had struck a pedestrian about 11:30 p.m. Police said emergency responders rendered aid to the Balga at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at Norwalk Hospital shortly after he was transported there.

The restaurant where Balga worked for two decades as a chef, The Whelk, is at 575 Riverside Ave.

“We are terribly saddened by the loss of our friend and co-worker Matt Balga,” said Andrea Dinan, operations manager at The Whelk. “He has been a part of our kitchens for the better part of 20 years. He was loyal to a fault. He took great pride in our restaurants and especially in being a part of our team.”

Balga was a Stratford native who attended Bunnell High School in Stratford and Southern Connecticut State University, according to his social media.

“He was indeed one of a kind,” Dinan said. “Our hearts are heavy right now, but in time our memories of him will give comfort and provide some good laughs. We are confident, Matteo would have it no other way.”

The fatal crash remains under investigation by the Westport Police Department’s accident investigation team. The Fairfield Police Department’s Accident Team and Westport police Detective Bureau were assisting, Woods said.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Balga was cooperating with police, according to Woods.