The wife of longtime ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman was one of two people killed in a two-vehicle crash in Connecticut Tuesday, authorities say.
Katherine Ann Berman, 67, was driving a Lexus SC 430 east on Sherman Hill Road in Woodbury around 2:15 p.m. when a Ford Escape rear-ended her, state police say. The impact sent Katherine Berman's vehicle veering off the roadway and down a small embankment. It flipped over into a small body of water, authorities say. She died at the scene. She and Chris Berman had been married for more than three decades; the couple had two children.
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"This is a devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend," ESPN said in a statement. "Chris is beloved by all his ESPN colleagues and for good reason; he has a huge heart and has given so much to so many over the years. We know how much his family means to him and all we can do at a moment like this is give him all the love and support he will surely need at this hour."
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The driver of the Ford, 87-year-old Edward Bertulis, initially survived the crash -- he collided with a utility pole and his vehicle ended up overturned in the center of the roadway -- but died of his injuries at a hospital.
The crash remains under investigation. Meanwhile, an outpouring of grief and support for Chris Berman's family flooded social media, with colleagues and civilians alike expressing their condolences and horror over the sudden loss.
Local
A story on ESPN's website says Chris Berman joined the network in 1979 and married Kathy four years later. He stepped down in January from his role as host of Sunday NFL Countdown after 31 seasons, but is still with the network, according to ESPN.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris, Meredith, Doug and his entire family," the statement from ESPN says.
