Jeff Parker, General Manager & CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority or MARTA was struck by a train and has died in an apparent suicide according to a statement from the chair of the MARTA board Rita Scott. Several witnesses reported that Parker was killed by one of the Authority’s own trains at the East Lake MARTA station around 10:30 PM EST on January 14th. At 10:39 PM MARTA posted a tweet reading “an emergency at East Lake” that caused delays on the Blue line and advising travelers of bus shuttle service being established to reroute them around the station.
A Tragic Apparent Suicide
“The MARTA Board of Directors grieves the shocking death of our GM/CEO Jeff Parker who has died by suicide. He was an outstanding leader and steward of MARTA whose passing leaves us all heartbroken. As Chairwoman and on behalf of my fellow MARTA board members, we are devastated at this loss as we valued Jeff’s leadership and looked forward to him bringing his vision for transit to fruition. The entire metro Atlanta region owes him a debt of gratitude for his transformational efforts and we will not stop working to build on the foundation he created. As we struggle to understand the complexity of this tragedy, we grieve with and for his wife Erin, his daughters and all of Jeff’s family and friends as well as his MARTA family. As we continue to grieve, we want you to know that suicide is preventable and help is available to you.”
According to independent journalist Maria Saporta,
“Earlier this morning, longtime MARTA board member Jim Durrett confirmed his death was an apparent suicide. “Nobody knows the WHY,” Durrett wrote in a text.
Durrett did dispel another rumor — that Parker had been fired from the agency.
“What I can tell you is that he was NOT fired,” Durrett wrote.”
#MARTAartbound & @Dashboard_US hosted a block party and ribbon cutting for the the Grant Street tunnel transformation. Thanks to @NMArchibong @FulcoD4 @SenNanOrrock for joining @CEOMARTA @HistoricAtlanta & artist Adam Bostic at King Memorial Station to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/NGGggaMPel
— MARTA (@MARTAservice) July 23, 2021
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp offered his condolences in a tweet, writing “Marty, the girls, & I are saddened to learn about the tragic passing of Jeffrey Parker – GM/CEO of MARTA. In addition to a remarkable professional career in the public/private sectors, Jeffrey was known for his civic engagement and support for the advancement of his communities. He had an incredible mind for transportation and logistics and a heart for people. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his many colleagues.”
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or ending your life, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
We lose 22 Veterans every day to suicide, if you’re a vet then Heroes’ Mile can help. Please call 386-400-2991 or complete their confidential contact form online
