A car crash in northern Spencer County claimed the life of Brian Walters, 38, of Fisherville. Walters was the girls’ soccer coach at Ballard High School and an English teacher at Bullitt East High School.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Ronald Turley said that the accident happened at about 6:44 a.m. on Dale Lane (State Highway 1319) and that Walters was driving a black Honda and dropped off the right shoulder of the road. It seemed that Walters overcorrected, crossed back over the highway and got hit by a Ford F-150 driven by David Gregory of Taylorsville. Police do not believe that drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash.
Gregory was taken to University Hospital for his injuries and he was listed in stable condition. Walters died at the scene.
Ballard was supposed to play in the quarterfinals of the Seventh Region Tournament on the day of Walters’ accident, but the game was postponed. Ballard’s athletic director, Chris Kinney, said, “He loved soccer, that’s for sure. And he cared about each and every one of these players we have here. It’s very, very sad and very, very tragic.”
Players were called out of class that day and told about their coach’s accident. Many players left school for the remainder of the day. Sheela Felli, a senior soccer player, said, “It was hard to take. Everybody was in shock.” She also said that Walters had a positive impact on the program during his two seasons. “He was pretty intense at games and practices, but if we were having a pasta party or a fundraiser, he was a laid back guy,” said Felli.
We offer our sincere condolences to Brian’s family, friends, students and soccer players.