High school band member and booster mother killed in crash, police say

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) – A high school band member and his mother are being remembered after police said the two died in a car accident Monday morning.

The teen was identified by the Rickards High School Raiders athletics department as Gavin Witmer. He and his mother died in an accident shortly before 9 a.m

Police said the accident occurred after a pickup truck was traveling east on East Tennessee Street before losing control and crossing the median. The truck then crashed into a sedan containing Witmer, his mother and sibling, police said.

According to police, Witmer's mother died at the scene of the accident. Witmer and his siblings were taken to a local hospital, where Witmer sadly died from his injuries, according to police.

The Rickards Raiders athletics department announced Tuesday that it was deeply saddened by the deaths of Witmer and his mother, who was also a band booster mother.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Witmer family and their friends during this difficult time of grief,” the school’s athletics department wrote on social media. “One Nation Raider Nation!”

Leon County Schools used X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday to release a statement expressing its condolences.

“This week our hearts are heavy as we think of the Witmer family,” the statement said. “We will support the students and staff of Rickards throughout this tragedy.”

Graphics were shared at Rickards High School expressing condolences to the family on behalf of the school community.

The Florida A&M University Marching “100” Band also spoke out on social media.

“On behalf of the Incomparable Marching '100' family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Gavin Witmer and his mother, who was also a band booster mother,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Witmer family, their friends and the entire Rickards High School band family during this difficult time of mourning.”

Late Tuesday morning, the Florida State University Marching Chiefs also released a statement.

According to Tallahassee police, the accident is under investigation.

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