Details from a witness are emerging about a recent collision between a member of the Georgia State Patrol and an SUV. The car accident claimed the life of a woman, who was married to a member of the Atlanta Braves staff, a Major League Baseball team.

While law enforcement works to reconstruct the accident and study what may have caused it, there is little doubt from a witness what sparked the fatal incident. At around 4:40 p.m., a witness saw the police cruiser traveling at a high rate of speed. The witness said he was concerned that the officer might hit another motorist on the road.

Moments later, the officer struck the SUV at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Memorial Drive in Atlanta. The vehicle was carrying three other occupants in addition to the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially, she was drifting in and out of consciousness as her husband and the witness tried to pry the damaged door open to reach her and administer care. They were unsuccessful.

The woman's husband, a trainer for the Braves, was also injured. The couple's 19-year-old son and an 18-year-old girl were also injured. The officer also was treated at a hospital and later released.

The police officer, a 10-year veteran, was reportedly heading out to aid his colleagues in an ongoing chase. Initial reports stated that the officer had his lights and sirens engaged during the time of the crash, but may have not noticed the upcoming intersection where the accident occurred.

A spokesperson for the Georgia State Patrol said that no action would be taken with the officer's employment status until the accident is examined. Depending on the result of the investigation, the family could have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Witness gives account of tragic wreck involving Braves trainer," Andria Simmons, Jan. 1, 2012