Central Texas Teenager Dies In One-Vehicle Rollover
Central Texas Teenager Dies In One-Vehicle Rollover Save Email Print
Reporter: By Stephanie Franks
Email Address: stephanie.franks@kwtx.com
29 comments
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(November 15, 2008) - The Department of Public Safety is investigating a late-night accident that killed one Central Texas teenager Friday and left two others seriously injured.

The accident happened at about 10:45 p.m. Friday on FM 2114 in West.

Katherine Gant, 17, of West, was driving a 2002 Toyota Rav 4 when the vehicle left the roadway on a curve and overturned.

DPS Troopers say the vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed.

Gant was pronounced dead at the scene.

The two teenagers who were riding with Gant were injured.

Tyler Bettge, 16, of Abbott was taken to Hillcrest Medical Center in critical condition.

Keri Boyett, 17, was also taken to the hospital with broken bones and listed in stable condition.

Troopers say Bettge and Gant were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

It is unknown if Boyett was wearing a seatbelt.
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Posted by: Old guy Location: Central TX on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:00 PM
I agree with the posts that say we cannot judge one another and we have to support the students and the families during this time. In fairness, however, asking kids to slow down and be careful is not judging them, it is showing them that we care about them and want them to be safe. We continue to pray for Katie's friends and family, and for West.
Posted by: Deanna Location: Hewitt on Nov 19, 2008 at 05:42 PM
To Katie's family: Please do not let the ignorant comments of people who think it is their place to judge hurt you. My 29 year old brother Darren drowned in Lake Waco in July and before we even had a chance to find him, people,especially Channel 10 had already jumped to the conclusion of alcohol being involved. Just remember it is how Katie lived that should be remembered. God Bless you and I will keep praying for you. People should also remember to not judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.....
Posted by: Uh Huh on Nov 18, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I agree with Yep!
Posted by: MOTHER Location: WACO on Nov 18, 2008 at 05:35 PM
RE: YEP YOU'RE RIGHT TO THINK THAT THIS MAY SAVE SOME LIVES, BUT YOU ARE DEAD WRONG TO THINK THAT THE "1000 sweet comments on here is not going to make the family that is suffering through this grief feel any better about this loss". THAT WAS INSENSITIVE. THIS SHOWS SUPPORT AND SYMPATHY FOR THE FAMILY. IT LETS THEM KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY CARES, THAT PEOPLE CARE. I'M SURE THEY'LL APPRECIATE THE "1000 SWEET COMMENT" YOU FEEL THEY'LL DISREGARD BECAUSE IT WON'T BRING THEY'RE CHILD BACK.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: West on Nov 18, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Never pass judgement. It could've been your child! Just give them support and kind words! We will miss you Katie.
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Nov 18, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Hey, do any of you people who complain about others making comments like, "please kids, dont speed" or "Please dont dink and drive' ever stop to think that maybe because of this tragedy, some other kid who has been lucky so far, may stop and think and NOT drive too fast or drink and drive? That maybe because of that, another life may be spared? 1000 sweet comments on here is not going to make the family that is suffering though this grief feel any better about this loss, but maybe, just maybe will spare someone else.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 18, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Unless they've updated this report and the others.... where does it say anything about alcohol? Doesn't really seem fair to post things like that.
Posted by: Kaleigh Anne Location: Gatesville on Nov 17, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Actually everyone is claiming that Kodi Hitt (the driver involved in the wreck here) was intoxicated. It is untrue just as i am sure is true of the incident in West! When will people realize that jumping the gun and making harsh assumptions is only detramental to the family. Isnt loosing a CHILD enough? Is it our place to say what caused it? NO, it was an accident. Anyways...my heart aches for all of the people who knew Katie...i will keep your community in my prayers as I pray for mine. To the ones that have assumed the worse and made it known...unless you have read the reports or spoken with the driver/victims please dont jump the gun...it will be hard enough for these kids to love with without there being NASTY UNTRUE rumors flying around! RIP Katie &&& Jess
Posted by: Donna Location: West on Nov 17, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Please do not judge as it is not up to us. Be there for the kids and families. They will need all the support they can get. God bless all the Friends of the kids as well as this is a hard time for ALL! Please Don't drink and DRIVE! If you Drink call a friend for a ride home!! God Bless all the families Involved and we will be praying for you all!
Posted by: teen from west Location: west on Nov 17, 2008 at 02:28 PM
my regards go out to the familys of all involved. I can understand the hurt and pain everyone is feeling i too lost a big part of my life in west 3 months ago. my sister and neace and nephews lifes were takin in west by a vehicle and I know the aminse pain of the loss. my thoughts and prayers. Katie was a happy girl she was always smilling. I didnt know her well but anytime you would see her she was as happy as you can get and we need alot more ppl in his world like that. its crazy how onemin there here and there happy and the next they are gone but just remeber to keep that additude she had and she'll always be there, uwill always carry a pieceof her in your life. And about everyone having somethng to say about her and her speeding and drinkin you can never know the whole truth cause you will never be able to talk to her again and that is a devistating part of it all you will never know what her last min. consisted of so ppl will talk buteveryone will think whateverthey want.
Posted by: not from west Location: not from west on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Katie, You were an amazing girl and always had a smile on your face! "smiley" I will miss you so much! You had many many great goals and I know you were determined to achieve them! everyone needs to back off saying drinking and driving was a cause. no one is saying that about the girl in Gatesville. Seeing how she was on FM 2114 she could have swerved to avoid hitting a deer or coyote. I have driven that road plenty of times and there were many times i had to do that. The Gant family are in my thoughts and prayers! RIP Katie Michelle!
Posted by: Brittney Hand Location: West on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:27 AM
We at Bahama Mama Tanz will miss her smiling face and great personality. She was a joy to get to know and she will be greatly missed.
Posted by: shirley Location: waco on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:14 AM
i was reading some of these commets, us as parents we teach are child dont drive fast, dont drink, dont play, but we cant be there to take there foot off the pedal or take that beer out of there hands or say dont swerve playing. we just half to trust our kids and hope they do right and if they dont love them any way. so nobody needs to here this , we need to stand beside them and help and love them to, everybody makes mistakes alway look in the mirrow are on your door step before you speak. how you would feel if it was you are your child are a close friend being talked about,think about it before you speak, for the family i have a son that has had 4 bad wrecks drinking,crugs playing.and i love him very much but all i can tell him when he leaves the house is i love you and be careful.just love them for wo they are and who they was its nobodys fault it was time GOD needed her for a special task be proud. i hope this helps
Posted by: nj on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Regards to waco mom comment, this is not the time for those comments don't judge, it's not our job. My thoughts and prayer go out to all involved.
Posted by: Michelle Location: Central TX on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:40 AM
News 10 has reported that alcohol was found on the scene....please let this be a false report....this is already a sad story...there is already enough hurt and anguish for this small town, family and friends..just let her be in peace!!
Posted by: Kelsey Location: West on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Katie you will always be in my prayers. I didnt know you that well but people told me a lot about you. And i wish Keri and Tyler the best to have a good recovery.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Do you adults not remember what it was like to be a teenager? Stop judging them. This family needs support, not judgement from those that are pretty much saying "told ya so". Back off and say a prayer for this family.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Kids, please don't drink and drive. I pray for these kids, their families, and friends.
Posted by: Britney Location: west on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Katie always had a smile on her face!! And that's the way she will be remembered!! She's gone, but she certainly won't be forgotten. Everyone please keep Tyler and Keri in your thoughts and prayers!!!
Posted by: unknown Location: west,tx on Nov 16, 2008 at 04:01 PM
R.I.P KATIE GANT WE LOVED U AN WE WILL ALL WAYS LOVE U EVEN THOUGHT I HARDYLY NEW U, U WILL B I OUR HEARTS AN OUR PRAYERS PRAY 4 KATIE GANT 11-14-08 AN PRAY 4 TYLER BETTGE DAT IS AT HILLCREST AN KERI BOYTTE DAT IS AT HILLCREST 2 R.I.P KATIE GANT 11-14-08
Posted by: Michelle Location: Central TX on Nov 16, 2008 at 12:29 PM
My prayers are with all those involved..being a parent...I just cannot fathom what they are going through.
Posted by: waco mom Location: waco on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I can;t imagine what the familys are going through :-( but why was she speeding another teen drive didn't use Common sense when driving on the road.
Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I'm very sorry to see the loss of another young adult, just getting started in Life. And the injuries of the others. Young people; 'Please' Slow down,, Please?? Prayers to the Families/Friends. Back-To-The-Future!!
Posted by: vc Location: Waco on Nov 15, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for the loss of Katie. She was a beautiful person. I can't imagine what her family is going through and my heart goes out to them. I also want to wish Tyler and Kari a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Tarean Stotts Location: Waco Tx on Nov 15, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. If there is anything my family can do please email me ifiwaspinkiwouldd_2@yahoo.com
Posted by: DEANNA Location: HEWITT on Nov 15, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I Will be praying for this family for strength in the coming days,weeks,months ahead. I lost my little brother on Lake Waco in July and it still hurts just like it was yesterday. God will give you strength. God Bless You
Posted by: krista Location: Waco on Nov 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I am praying your family. I have a seventeen year old daughter and can not imagine what you are going through.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: West on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:24 PM
This so sad that we lost another one of our kids. The family is in our prayers
Posted by: Curt Location: Hancock on Nov 15, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Such a very sad news story. My heart goes out to the parents of Katherine. You folks will certainly be included in my prayers.
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