A former Georgia state trooper has been indicted in the 2011 Fulton County death of an Atlanta Braves trainer’s wife, who was killed when the on-duty trooper crashed into their vehicle while responding to a call.
The deadly crash involving Trooper First Class Donald Crozier and Kathy Porter occurred on New Year’s Eve. Porter, wife of Braves head athletic trainer Jeff Porter, was a passenger in an SUV driven by her husband when Crozier’s patrol car struck them at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Memorial Drive in Atlanta.
Kathy Porter, 54, died at the scene from injuries. Her husband, the couple’s son and a family friend also were injured.
Crozier has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, reckless driving and violation of oath by public officer. Efforts were being made Wednesday to reach Crozier for comment.
Through a Braves spokesman, Jeff Porter said he would have no comment.
It was just after 4:30 p.m. and the Porters were on their way to the Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Crozier was speeding to assist in the chase of a motorcyclist on nearby I-20 when the crash occurred.
An investigation found Crozier had activated his lights and sirens, but the trooper did not slow his Dodge Charger patrol car enough to make sure the Porters’ Ford Expedition, which had a green light, had yielded to his patrol car before proceeding through the intersection.
Crozier, who had been on the force for 10 years, was fired after the incident. He released a statement following the accident expressing his sorrow. “I am so sorry for their loss and I think of them and pray for them every day,” he said in the statement released by his attorney.
The former trooper’s case will be heard in Fulton County Superior Court, but a trial date has not been set.
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