Trooper First Class Donald Crozier
Scene of the crashATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
The Georgia State Patrol trooper involved in the crash that killed the wife of an Atlanta Braves trainer has been fired.
Trooper First Class Donald Crozier, a 10-year veteran, was terminated Friday by Colonel Mark McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
Hawkins Law Firm released a statement on behalf of Crozier.
Crozier said he will continue to fully cooperate with investigators. He also said he is suffering emotionally and physically as a result of the accident. Click here to read the full statement.
Kathy Porter, 54, died New Year's Eve at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Memorial Drive when Crozier reportedly slammed into a Ford Expedition driven by Jeff Porter, a GSP spokesman said.
The Porters were heading to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The trooper was going to help another trooper involved in a chase on Interstate 20.
The crash report was released the same day of the firing. In it, witnesses report that the Porter's SUV was already in the intersection when the trooper sped through the red light with his emergency lights on.
The report said the front of the troopers vehicle struck the passenger side of the porter's SUV. Both cars rotated, then hit a second time.
"The driver of vehicle 1 failed to use due regard when traveling through the intersection at capital avenue and memorial drive on a red traffic signal."
The Commissioner said when the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the district attorney's office to determine if any charges will be filed.
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