Wife of ESPN's Chris Berman Dies in Tragic Car Crash

By Bob Phillips

Kathy Berman (left), wife of beloved ESPN personality Chris Berman
(second from left), was killed in a tragic automobile accident in
Woodbury on Tuesday. Also pictured are the Berman’s two
children, Doug and Meredith.

WOODBURY– The Connecticut sports family lost one of its own on Tuesday afternoon when the wife of beloved ESPN personality Chris Berman was killed in a fatal car accident. The mishap occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Route 64—also known as Sherman Hill Road—in Woodbury, about two miles from Quassy Park. Also killed in the accident was Edward Burtulis, an 87-year-old Waterbury resident.

According to state police sources, Katherine Ann Berman was traveling eastbound on Sherman Hill Road in a Lexus registered in her husband’s name when she struck Bertulis’s vehicle from behind. Bertulis’s car then collided with a utility pole, spun around, and landed on its roof. Burtulis was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away.

Kathy Berman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 67.

Chris Berman grew up in Greenwich, and graduated from Brown University, where he became sports director at the school’s campus radio station, WBRU. After graduating, he landed the job of his dreams—with ESPN, soon after its inception. Berman, who first came into prominence as a SportsCenter anchor, has had a life-long love affair with the game of football, which made him a perfect fit at the helm of ESPN’s Sunday NFLCountdown and Monday Night Countdown. In addition, he has been involved with U.S. Open golf coverage, NHL Stanley Cup telecasts, and many other events—far too many to list—throughout his illustrious career. He was recently succeeded by Sam Ponder on Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN's lead-in to Sunday NFL football games. Berman was on assignment at Citi Field prior to the Mets-Giants game at the time of the tragedy.

The Bermans had been married for over 33 years, and have two children. The fatal accident occurred one day before Chris Berman’s 62nd birthday.

“This is a devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend,” said ESPN President John Skipper 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 the love and support he will surely need at this hour. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris, Meredith, Doug and the entire family.”

The accident remains under police investigation.

—With Staff Reports