Piedra Vista High School Baseball Coach Jeff Kiraly Dies in Motorcycle Accident in Colorado
Piedra Vista High School baseball coach Jeff Kiraly, 53, died in a motorcycle accident on July 31 near U.S. Highway 550 in southwest Colorado, authorities confirmed.
The accident occurred around 2 p.m. near milepost 55, between Durango and Silverton, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Kiraly was involved in a collision with the motorcycle of a 73-year-old man from Texas, leading to Kiraly losing control and crashing. He was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other motorcyclist was seriously injured and taken to a hospital.
Kiraly had recently guided the Piedra Vista Panthers to a Class 5A championship, finishing the season with a 27-4 record. Witnesses reported that Kiraly’s passing has deeply affected the community, which is mourning the loss of a beloved coach and mentor.
Kiraly was an accomplished baseball player prior to coaching, having been a standout at La Cueva High School before being drafted by the New York Mets in 1991. He became head coach at Piedra Vista in 2019 and was inducted into the La Cueva High School Hall of Fame in 2017. He is survived by his wife, Janette, and children, Trent and Kylee.
The school community released a statement expressing deep sorrow over Kiraly’s passing, and counseling services will be available for students and staff coping with the loss.