Valley resident killed in Delaware crash

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

What started out as a vacation turned into a horrific tragedy for a Charleroi family and has triggered an outpouring of love and support from the community.

Glenn Porter, 20, the son of Laurie and Magisterial District Judge Eric Glenn Porter, was killed Friday night in a vehicle crash in Delaware. 

Glenn Porter’s girlfriend, Kylie Quigley, 19, of Stockdale, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to a GoFundMe page created for her family. 

According to a news release from Delaware State Police, the accident happened around 11:53 p.m. Friday in Bridgeville, Del.

Police said a Jeep Wrangler was traveling westbound on Seashore Highway at the same time a Chevrolet Silverado with Eric and Laurie Porter was traveling eastbound approaching Woodenhawk Road.

A Dodge Avenger driven by Glenn Porter, with Quigley as a passenger, followed behind. 

According to police, the driver of the Jeep crossed the double-yellow center lines, entered the eastbound lane of Seashore Highway and sideswiped the Silverado. The Jeep continued traveling west in the eastbound lane until it collided head-on with Glenn Porter’s vehicle.

Glenn Porter was taken to an area hospital, where he died, state police said. 

‘They were each other’s true loves’

Quigley’s parents, George and Lyndie Quigley, said their daughter had dated Glenn for more than two years and he was considered part of the family. 

“He was everything I could ever ask for when it comes to dating my daughter,” Lyndie Quigley said. “The way she smiled and lit up when she talked to him or about him or was with him was something you don’t always get to see.”

George Quigley said he was Kylie’s best friend, and his as well.

“They were always laughing, always joking,” he said. “He brought the best out in my daughter and I think she brought the best out in him. They were like two peas in a pod.”

Kylie’s parents believe even though they were young, they had a truly special love.

“I know it sounds cliche, but I think they were each other’s true loves and it breaks my heart to know they won’t have a long, happy life together,” Lyndie Quigley said, “because I truly believe that’s what the future would have been for them.”

The Quigley family will remember Glenn as a charming, sweet, caring man and the love of their daughter’s life.

“He was the brightest light in any room,” Lyndie Quigley said. “He was so sweet, so genuine. He was more than part of our family, he was our family. His parents really raised a good man that was loved by everyone. He’s going to be so missed.”

While they remain in Delaware with Kylie as she recovers, the family is asking for continued prayers for their daughter and the Porters. 

“Just keep praying, because it’s working, it’s not going unnoticed,” they said.

The Porters came home Sunday, the Quigleys said, and they are hoping to bring Kylie home sometime this week, but have to take things day by day. 

She remains in intensive care, but is awake, talking and doing the best she can considering the circumstances. 

“This does not feel real to her yet,” her mother said. “When we get home, this will be hard. It’s going to be a long, difficult road for her mentally.”

Kylie suffered critical injuries, including three fractures in her lower left leg. She had surgery to repair those fractures, which included having a rod inserted in parts of her leg where the bone was broken in two places.

Doctors are still monitoring her, as her initial CT scans showed trauma in her abdomen, specifically to her pancreas and the upper part of her small intestine.

She has not spoken much about the accident, but has said she doesn’t remember the crash.

Kylie told her parents she was sleeping when their car was hit, and the next thing she remembers is waking up in the hospital.

Her family is crediting Eric Porter with saving her life, as he worked to cut her out of the car before first responders arrived.

“He saved my daughter,” George Quigley said. “He cut her out. They said if she would have been in the car any longer, she could have bled out.”

“He is a hero to us,” her mother said. “He is absolutely our hero. He saved our little girl.”

Glenn’s parents were not injured and the driver of the Jeep, a 49-year-old woman from Easton, Md., was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the scene was investigated and cleared. 

The reason for the Jeep leaving the westbound lanes remains under investigation. The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. 

GoFundMe accounts established

In the wake of the tragedy, family and friends of the Porters and Quigleys have been rallying to help the grieving families.

Online fundraising pages through GoFundMe have been set up for both the Porter family and Quigley.

Glenn’s fundraising page, organized by Nicole Polinski, states that he recently graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania police academy and had been hired to start working as an officer with the California Borough Police Department in early July.

“We are asking for funds to aid his family cope through this tragedy. We all know and LOVE the Porter Family! Let’s pull together as a community and support these AMAZING FRIENDS who we all love so dearly!! Glenn’s beautiful girlfriend Kylie was also seriously injured in this devastating accident. Please keep Kylie and her family in your prayers as well,” the fundraising page states. 

As of Sunday night, more than $42,500 had been raised.

To donate to either family, go to GoFundMe.com and search “The Porter Family in their time of tragedy” or “Support the Quigley Family during tragic time.”

Remembrances pour in

“California Borough Police mourns the loss of our most recent hire, Glenn Porter,” the department wrote in a statement on Facebook. “Glenn tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in Delaware on Friday evening. He was scheduled to begin his career in law enforcement within the coming weeks.

“Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and friends in this difficult time.”

California Police Chief Jim Smith said Glenn was eager to get to work. 

“In all my years as a police officer, and as a chief, I’ve never met anyone who wanted to be a police officer more than this young man,” Smith wrote on Facebook. “It was a pleasure interviewing and hiring him, just knowing the outstanding career he was going to have. Please keep his family in your prayers.”

Quigley’s fundraising page states that she was transported to a trauma center in Delaware, where she had surgery for her injuries. 

Her fundraiser had collected more than $10,000 as of press time, and the money will be used to help her family with expenses as she remains hospitalized. 

“We are asking for funds to aid her family during this difficult time as they are out of state to be with their daughter. Please help aid this wonderful family. Please keep the Quigley family and the Porter family in your thoughts and prayers,” the GoFundMe page states.

Several members of the community who knew Glenn and Kylie took to social media to offer condolences for both families, as did relatives, long-time friends, strangers and acquaintances. 

Kylie’s sister, Jurnie, said Glenn was the love of her sister’s life and she had never seen Kylie happier. 

“I never thought I would be typing this, it just feels so unreal like a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” she wrote. “I’m sick. I’m so sick. This isn’t fair. Why did he have to take such a beautiful soul.

“Kylie and you were so in love, I’ve never seen my sister happier in her life. She was always talking about you and how much she loves you and how amazing of a boyfriend you are to her. When I got that call from my parents to come downstairs I just figured maybe I was playing my music too loud. Until I walked in the room and they were crying holding their heads. When they broke the news to me I was speechless I just stood there in shock. 10 minutes from the beach house …… 10 more minutes and you guys would have been there safely.”

Jurnie Quigley said the woman driving took Glenn’s life, and now he will never have the chance to experience so many upcoming “firsts.”

“She took the life of an innocent boy who had so much going for him in the future. I mean you (Glenn) literally started work for the police the week after you came back! Thinking that you’re never going to come through that living room door and scream “GUSSY BOY” again as Guss comes running to you makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t think I’ve ever had any other death affect me this much before. God isn’t going to be getting much forgiveness from me for this. Beau is never going to see his father again, Kylie and you can’t get that apartment together anymore, there’s no more late night movies with you and Kylie and Darius and me, there is no more getting engaged with Kylie in the next year, there is no more sleepovers, there’s no more coming over and telling us all at the dinner table the new things you would learn in the academy, there’s just no more Glenn. 

“This death has impacted so many people in this community and I don’t think it’s ever going to be the same. Your smile and laugh was always the most contagious. I had no clue that when you and Kylie walked out that door that day to leave for vacation that it was going to be the last time I ever saw you. I could go on and on but I need to end this here before I never stop typing. And to Kylie, I just want you to know I’ve never met a stronger woman than you.” 

Dyelan Edwards said he had been friends with Glenn for 16 years. 

“I’ve been at a loss for words with no way to fill the void,” he wrote on Facebook. “I never in my life thought I would be here talking about a brother I have had for 16 years. We shared every single down of football together and it bonded us harder than anything. I thought I still had a lifetime to hangout and mess around. Last time I called you Glenn it was to tell you how proud I was seeing you graduate and get sworn in. I’m glad we were able to share that as our parting moment. If anything there’s no measurable amount today how much I am going to miss you, but I know you are looking down.”

He said Glenn and Kylie were both like his family.

“To Kylie, you know I’ll always have your back, no matter the ask I’ll always be there as I have been. You guys are my family and nothing will ever change that. I’ll move mountains for both of you.” 

Zachary Usher said he has known Glenn since pre-school. 

“This is not goodbye forever, it’s goodbye for now,” he wrote. “We became best friends in pre-school which all started by me throwing a block at your head, which we would laugh about every single day. Ever since that day, I knew I had one of the best people on this Earth in my corner. You were the best center a quarterback you could ever ask for, you were the best gold buddy you would ever ask for, you were the best helper with my entire life whether it dealt with cheering me up after losing a basketball game, relationships or just being there constantly for me no matter the time of day or night when I needed you. More important you were the greatest best friend someone could ever have.”

Usher said Glenn taught him a lot in their years as friends.

“You taught me how to fish for the first time and I didn’t know at that time that you were helping me through FaceTime to pick out fishing stuff would be the last time we ever spoke,” he wrote. “I’ve been blessed to be your roommate, a teammate, work buddies and most importantly your friend.”

Usher said they had intended to be by each other’s side for life’s big moments. 

“We had plans to be each other’s best man and go on a trip to Vegas together, and that best man spot will always be saved for you. I’ll still be going on that trip knowing the entire time that you’ll be with me. … I won’t ever forget the happiness you brought to people.”

Michael Lee, Glenn’s uncle, said the family is doing the best they can giving the circumstances.

Michele Schwerha, Lee’s older sister, said her brother and Eric Porter “were born best friends.”

Eventually, they married sisters, so their families have been close long before they became actual relatives. 

Schwerha said Glenn was special.

“Any kid that wants to be a police officer, that wants to serve and give back to their community, is a special person,” she said. “Glenn was the ultimate giver, truly, because he was an organ donor.”