MA State Trooper, hero killed in car crash

Hero trooper is killed in car crash
By Brian R. Ballou
Globe Staff / July 24, 2008
A state trooper honored two years ago for helping to pull a woman from a burning car died early yesterday morning in an off-duty car accident less than 2 miles from his Hingham home.

According to the State Police, Gregory K. Porter, 33, hit a tree at the intersection of Central and Emerald streets at 12:36 a.m. Porter was the only occupant of his 2000 Hyundai Elantra. He was rushed to South Shore Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Porter, a married father of two, worked out of the Norwell Barracks, about 10 miles from the accident scene.

David Procopio, a State Police spokesman, said Porter's last shift was from 11 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m Tuesday, and that at the time of the accident Porter was on the first of his two days off. Procopio said the accident is under investigation by the Hingham Police Department and State Police and that a toxicology exam will be performed as part of regular procedure.

Authorities said that there was no indication that alcohol was a factor in the accident and that it was not certain yesterday if Porter was wearing a seat belt.
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