Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper killed in interstate crash

JACKSON, Tenn. — “But he died doing what he loved,” said Chris Gatti, father of Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Matthew Gatti.

Just hours after Chris Gatti’s son, 24-year-old Trooper Matthew Gatti, died in a tragic accident on Interstate 40 Monday afternoon, he is trying to find strength.

“I find it from the Lord. Without God, I have nothing,” Gatti said.

“Tonight we are suffering an extreme and tragic loss for our department and for our family,” said Lt. Bill Miller of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

“You know you’re supposed to go before your children,” Gatti said.

Gatti was a trooper with the THP’s Memphis District. He previously worked for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said he was responding to a call before the crash with two tractor-trailers.

“He loved people. He loved the folks he worked with,” Gatti said.

Chris said he wants his son’s legacy to live on.

“I want him to be remembered as someone who loved people, as someone who loved his God,” Gatti said.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash.