A vehicle crash in Putnam County took the life of a teen Friday afternoon, leaving her family and friends grieving their unexpected loss.
Katherine Elizabeth Abernathy, 17, of Eatonton, was killed instantly in a two-vehicle crash on State Route 44/Greensboro Road, according to authorities.
Katherine was a senior at Georgia Military Prep School. “We are heartbroken by the passing of Katherine Abernathy, a member of GMC Prep’s Class of 2027,” the school posted on its social media pages. “Katherine joined us in one of our first fourth-grade classes and grew up alongside the classmates and teachers who became her GMC Prep family. Her loss is felt deeply throughout our school community, and she will always be part of our story.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Katherine’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and all who loved her. In the days ahead, we will be there for one another and hold Katherine’s memory close.”
The daughter of Putnam County Tax Commissioner and former sheriff’s deputy Terrell Abernathy, Katherine also apparently worked at Maurices, a women’s clothing store in the Milledgeville Mall.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kat (Katherine) Abernathy and want to extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends,” the store’s management posted on social media. “Kat loved Maurices long before she became part of our team, and she quickly grew into an invaluable member that never met a stranger. We are heartbroken by her passing and will miss her dearly. We will miss you so much, Katherine. We love you!”
The fatal vehicle crash happened around 4:42 p.m., according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. Katherine was driving a 2013 Honda CR-V and pulled out of Loch Haven subdivision, from Loch Way and turned left onto State Route 44/ Greensboro Road. She pulled right into the path of a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Trevor Welch Culbertson, 21, of Buckhead. The front of his F-150 crashed into the driver’s side door of the Honda.
“We have gone back there several days and have determined that the sun was blinding in that location at that time of day,” Sills said Tuesday at the newspaper’s press time. “So that was a contributing factor and is probably why she didn’t see the truck.”
The sheriff noted that the crash investigation is not yet completed, “but there’s no evidence at this time to support any charges being filed.” Culbertson was taken by private vehicle to an area hospital to be treated for minor injuries, Sills said.
Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison said an autopsy ruled the cause of death to be blunt force trauma. Harrison and Sills both emphasized that anytime a minor, or person age 17 or younger, is killed, an autopsy is required by law.
Williams Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Milledgeville, with Rev. Larry Glover and Al Burgamy officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home at 2 p.m. before the funeral. Interment will be private.