Coach Katlin Shay Burger from Harrogate, Tennessee, tragically passed away in a car accident on November 8, 2025, leaving behind her parents and siblings.
The accident took place on Forge Ridge Road in Harrogate during the early hours of Saturday.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s preliminary report, she was driving a 2002 Toyota 4Runner eastbound when she failed to maintain her lane while navigating a right-hand curve.
Her vehicle crossed the center line, exited the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree.
Despite the swift response from multiple emergency teams, Katlin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prayers To Kaitlin Burger’s Parents As They Face The Unimaginable Loss Of Thier Daughter!
Kaitlin Burger was a beloved special education teacher and assistant girls’ basketball coach.
At just 22 years old, she had already made a meaningful impact as a special education teacher and assistant girls’ basketball coach at Cumberland Gap High School.
Her involvement in youth activities and her commitment to education made her a cherished figure among students, parents, and colleagues.
One of her friends, Kaitlin Bailey, shared a deeply emotional tribute saying:
My heart hurts so bad this evening. I’ll always have the memories of our time as roommates. I’ll never forget watching Baywatch till 1 am on our mega bed. I’ll never forget how you made my 21st birthday so special. I’ll never forget our away game trips where you would come up with a new Tik Tok to film each time. I’ll never forget our Walmart trips to get more Doorables. I’ll never forget you and all the wonderful memories you left me with. You will be so greatly missed Katlin Burger.
Likewise, Katlin Burger’s coaches shared a powerful and heartfelt tribute, expressing the grief of losing someone far more than just a former player.
The coach further said:
It’s hard to find the right words to describe the heartbreak of losing someone who meant so much. Losing Katlin Burger has left a hole in my heart that words can’t fill. She wasn’t just a former player. She was so much more than that. She was family. Her energy, her laughter, and her love for life were contagious. She had such a bright future ahead of her, and she made every room she walked into better just by being there.
As a coach, every player you get to share this journey with holds a special place in your heart, but some leave an impact that lasts forever. Burger was one of those. She challenged me, inspired me, and made me a better person…Please keep our program and all who loved Burger in your prayers as we navigate life without one of our own. She will always be a part of our family, and her spirit will live on in everything we do.
Regarding her parents, Kevin and Annette remained private during this difficult time. As of now, they haven’t made any public statement.
We extend our deepest condolences to Katlin Burger’s parents, Kevin and Annette, her sister Kelsey, and the entire Harrogate and Cumberland Gap community.
