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By JIM DANKO
An investigation is underway into the tragic Atlanta car accident that killed Kathy Porter, the wife of Braves head trainer Jeff Porter.
Kathy Porter was a passenger in an SUV that was struck by a state patrol trooper’s vehicle on New Year’s Eve. Her husband was behind the wheel when the trooper crashed into them at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Capitol Avenue in Atlanta. Trooper Donald Crozier headed west on Memorial Drive and had activated his emergency lights and siren, according to a state patrol spokesman. The trooper was on his way to assist another trooper attempting to stop a motorcyclist on nearby Interstate 20, according to news reports.
Kathy Porter, her husband , their son and a friend were on their way to the Chick-fil-A-Bowl football game around 4:40 on Dec. 31 when the accident occurred. The patrol car hit Porter’s SUV on the passenger’s side, pushing the vehicle into a utility pole, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The GBI, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team will investigate the fatal car accident.
The accident raises questions about how police should respond in emergency situations. GSP Sgt. First Class Shawn Urquhart was quoted by WALB.com: “The Georgia State Patrol policy is that even though you are in a chase you still have to use due regard at intersection, even though you have your blue lights and sirens on.”
Troopers and police train to drive with caution during emergencies. They must consider their surroundings: Are they in a residential area? What are the weather conditions? What type of visibility do they have?
Police officers need to follow proper procedures to keep the public safe, said Atlanta personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays.
“A trooper or officer who fails to follow procedure is endangering the lives of innocent people,” Hays said. “Was stopping a motorcyclist on I-20 worth the risk to the lives of the people in the SUV? Hopefully, the investigation will answer some questions. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Kathy Porter.”
