Tragedy Strikes Gulfport: One Dead, Three Injured After High-Speed Crash Into Coast Radio Group Building
GULFPORT, MS — A devastating crash in Gulfport on Friday afternoon has left one woman dead and three others injured after a BMW barreled through a red light at high speed and slammed into the Coast Radio Group building. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Seaway Road and Cowan Lorraine Road, sending shockwaves through the local community and among staff of the beloved radio stations housed in the building.
According to Gulfport Fire Chief Billy Kelley, the vehicle was traveling at approximately 80 miles per hour when it ran the red light and careened into the structure, which is home to several of South Mississippi’s most popular radio stations, including Coast 102, Kicker 108, and 95.3 Gorilla.
Inside the building at the time was 59-year-old Liz Thornburg, who was tragically killed in the crash. Her death was confirmed by Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer. Thornburg was a respected and familiar figure within the Coast Radio Group family, and her sudden passing has left colleagues and listeners heartbroken.
Three other individuals, including the driver of the BMW, sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. Their conditions have not yet been publicly disclosed, but authorities are closely monitoring their recovery. It remains unclear what factors may have led to the driver’s excessive speed and loss of control.
Eyewitness Account: A Close Call for Gulfport Mother
Among those shaken by the tragedy is Jessi Reyes, a Gulfport resident who was en route to pick up her daughter from school when the crash unfolded before her eyes. Reyes had just crossed through the intersection moments before the speeding vehicle came through.
“I had to stop somewhere ’cause I told my daughter — I just yelled at her — ‘You see!’ I don’t know what made me look back,” Reyes recounted tearfully. “If I would have stood there one minute, it would have got me. So I just started shaking and crying. I hugged her and I said, ‘I love you.’”
Her near miss with tragedy underscores the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the fragility of life, a sentiment echoed by many in the community as they process the events.
Community Reeling From Sudden Loss
The Coast Radio Group building, normally filled with music, laughter, and the voices of radio personalities who accompany thousands of listeners each day, became the scene of a somber emergency response on Friday. Fire crews, paramedics, and police responded swiftly to the scene, working through the wreckage and securing the area.
Chief Kelley emphasized the sheer force of the impact, noting that the vehicle’s high speed posed an extraordinary risk to everyone in the vicinity. “This could have been even worse,” he said. “The driver was going at least 80 miles per hour through an intersection that’s usually busy around this time.”
As investigations continue into what led up to the crash, the local community has rallied around the staff of Coast Radio Group, expressing condolences and support on social media and through heartfelt calls to the station.
Remembering Liz Thornburg
Friends and colleagues describe Liz Thornburg as a warm, talented, and deeply committed part of the radio team — someone whose voice and presence brought comfort and joy to countless listeners. A fixture in the local broadcasting scene, she leaves behind a legacy of connection, compassion, and dedication.
Plans for a memorial service have not yet been announced, but the outpouring of grief and remembrance has already begun, with tributes flooding in from across Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are working to determine whether drugs, alcohol, or mechanical failure may have played a role in the crash. The name of the driver has not yet been released, and no charges have been announced at this time.
The Gulfport Police Department is urging anyone with information or video footage from the area around the time of the crash to come forward as they piece together the tragic sequence of events.
As Gulfport mourns the loss of one of its own, Friday’s crash serves as a harrowing reminder of how quickly lives can be changed forever. For now, the community grieves — united in sorrow, and in support of those who are left to heal.
