Fundraising Page Created For Teen Killed In Crash

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The community is rallying around the family of a 16-year-old boy who died early Friday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Cartersville.

A GoFundMe page has been created to assist the family of Christian Austin, who was a passenger in the vehicle that crashed into a house on Old Grassdale Road.

Michelle Holtzapple, the creator of the page, said her sister lost her son "in a very tragic car accident on his way to school."

Christian was a student at Cass High School, and was on his way to the Bartow County College and Career Academy with two other students when the fatal wreck occurred, according to The Daily Tribune News.

"This has been a very trying year for our family already due to our mother being very ill," she continues. "We really do not like asking for help, but unfortunately we are at a loss. They now have to bury their son and are missing a lot of work due to this tragedy and unfortunately already have very limited funds. Any help would be greatly appreciated."

The Georgia State Patrol said a 2005 Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound around 8:25 a.m. Aug. 19 when the driver "lost control of the car, ran off the roadway and struck a house," spokesperson Tracey Watson said.

That vehicle also struck a gas meter at the home, which caused a gas leak to occur on site, Bartow EMS Brad Cothran previously told Patch.

The 16-year-old male driver and back seat passenger, 15-year-old Christopher Cunningham of Cartersville, were also injured and transported to Cartersville Medical Center.

The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is conducting a follow-up investigation and charges are pending, Watson added.

The accident comes on the heels of the death of another Cass High School student, Christian Scrutchins. Christian, 17, was swimming in Lake Allatoona on July 28 when he went under and never resurfaced.

---

Image via GoFundMe