Wife of Braves trainer killed in horrible crash

Jeff Porter (in middle)

((ht: ajc.com))

This is just a horrible story to tell.

The wife of Atlanta Braves trainer Jeff Porter was killed and Porter, along with his 19-year old son were injured when a Georgia State Patrol cruiser heading to a chase crashed into the family's SUV.

The accident happened just before 5 p.m Satursday as the Porters were heading to Saturday nights Chick-fil-a Bowl at the Georgia Dome.

The incident is being investigated, but News reports in Atlanta quote witnesses as saying the trooper ran through a red light at a high rate of speed and never slowed down before hitting the Porter's vehicle.

Read the newspaper story from AJC.com RIGHT HERE

The Braves released a statement Saturday night: "The Braves family is deeply saddened and shocked to learn about the tragic accident today involving the family of head athletic trainer Jeff Porter and the death of his wife Kathy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff and Kathy's family, their son David and all their friends and loved ones."


Porter has been with the team since the mid-80's and is someone held in high regard in the organization and in baseball. He's been the teams lead trainer since 2003. According to Mark Bowman, the Braves reporter for MLB.com, team manager Fredi Gonzalez and coach Terry Pendleton have been at Porter's side since the incident.

Having covered the Braves for many years, we know how well thought of Porter is. Our thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathies go out to him and his family.