Mother updates condition of pro ball player critically injured in car crash
From Gofundme:
More than a year after a Sept. 5, 2025, crash in Washington left Athens native and Angels Minor League outfielder Rio Foster with a traumatic brain injury, his mother, Iris Cleveland, posted a new GoFundMe update yesterday saying he is “progressing and growing in his new body.” She says his cognitive development is improving and he is focusing and communicating more effectively, but he now needs a standing frame and a “Zeen” to help increase his mobility. More than $90,000 has now been raised to help Rio during this journey, thanks to nearly 750 donors.
Original story published by CCN
By Joe Johnson
Former Clarke Central High School star athlete and professional baseball player Rio Foster shows signs of improvement two weeks after he was nearly killed in a car crash
His mother posted this update on Rio’s gofundme page:
Please continue to pray for my son, Rio Foster. He is in ICU, however, he is off the ventilator and opening his eyes. He is making spontaneous movements and showing signs of improvement . He is making small changes everyday so your prayers are working. Please keep praying for his recovery. We have difficult times ahead.
My family wants to say thanks for your donations and support everyone has given to us. May God continue to bless your family.
Foster is a 22-year-old Athens native who played ball at Clarke Central and is currently an outfielder with the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
On September 5th he was a backseat passenger during a car accident and which he was ejected and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
In an initial gofundme post his mother said:
Rio is the most humble, kind and respectful young man and this is the most unfortunate circumstance. He worked so hard to get to where he is today, and was on fire these past fews weeks. Although he’s in this predicament we know that this is something he will come back from, and 10x stronger.
