Richland High School junior killed in weekend car crash, district says

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas - A 17-year-old student-athlete at Richland High School died in a car crash over the weekend.

Birdville ISD student killed

What we know:

On October 12 at around 5:16 a.m., public safety personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 2100 block of Highway 174 in Burleson.

The vehicle involved had lost control and crashed into a ditch, striking a concrete structure and sustaining significant damage. First responders were required to perform an extrication to remove the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Local perspective:

Birdville ISD identified the driver as 17-year-old Katron Walker, a junior student at Richland High School.

Walker recently transferred to Richland High School after moving from Memphis and played on the junior varsity football team.

District and campus crisis counselors are providing support to Walker's family and football teammates. His teammates have decorated his locker in his memory.

Counselors will continue offering support in Walker's classes when students return to campus on Wednesday and will remain available for any student needing assistance.

What they're saying:

"Katron was something special…"

Randi Hill, Katron's mother, says he had impressed his coaches and teammates in a game on Thursday playing quarterback. He had mainly played wide receiver for the Royals.

"He had a really good game Thursday and that’s what we … He was so proud," Hill told FOX 4's Dionne Anglin.. "He was going to make it one way or the other, whether it was sports, even academics. He was an honor student, so we didn’t just push the sports narrative."

His family says Katron was returning home after a weekend trip with friends when the crash occurred.

"It was just an honest accident. No one to blame, no one to point fingers out. No one to be angry at. An honest accident. I just feel like it was time for God to call him home."

"6’4 of nothing but nice," Marquise Moore, Katron's godparent, said. "I had to tell my daughter I guess he was just too good that the most high had to call him home."

Birdville ISD statement

Principal Dr. Nathan Frymark sent a letter to Richland families over the weekend. 

"Katron was new to RHS and Birdville ISD this year but has already made a positive impact as a member of our JV football team. Our hearts are heavy with grief over his passing, and we stand ready to wrap his family, friends, team, teachers, and community with care and support."

"The death of any young person is a tragedy and weighs heavily on the hearts of our community, especially the educators who have the privilege of knowing and working with our young people."

TexasNorth Richland Hills