A Banks County High School junior died as a result of injuries suffered in a one-vehicle accident on Hwy. 441 Saturday evening, just north of the county sheriff’s office. Two passengers in the vehicle had to be airlifted from the scene.
Cody Gowder, a member of the school’s football team, died after the pickup he was driving crashed and flipped several times on Hwy. 441 shortly before 9 p.m. The vehicle left the roadway just past Windmill Farm Road, struck a guardrail and apparently flipped over several times ejecting all three from the truck, a 2005 extended cab pickup.
The two passengers, Bill Redmon and Kane Duncan, classmates and football teammates of Gowder’s, suffered injuries in the accident after all three were ejected from the truck. Redmon and Duncan were both airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital. Redmon and Duncan were released from the hospital earlier this week.
The Banks County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately to the scene, sheriff Charles Chapman said, although the Georgia State Patrol worked the accident. The official report from the GSP office was released Monday afternoon. The report indicated Gowder lost control as he attempted to negotiate a curve.
Gowder’s funeral was held Monday at Grove Level Baptist Church. Little-Ward Funeral Home of Commerce was in charge of arrangements.
BCHS athletic director and head football coach Blair Armstrong cancelled practice for Monday afternoon. News of the accident spread quickly through Banks County during the weekend.
“Cody had a profound impact on this community and my family,” said Banks County superintendent Chris Erwin. “We all loved Cody, as was evident in the outpouring of support that has been displayed by the high school students. Cody will be remembered as a special young man who touched the lives of all who knew him.”
“He was an outstanding young man,” Armstrong said. “He was a hard worker and someone you never had to ask to do something twice.”
The Leopard head coach said the coaches were expecting big things from Gowder on the gridiron this fall.
“He played tight end for us last year and Coach (Chuck) Hudson and I were going to move him to guard this season,” Armstrong said. “We asked him about it and he simply wanted to do whatever would help the team.”
Duncan and Redmon are expected to return to the team in coming weeks, Armstrong said Monday night.
Update: Duncan and Redmon both were present for the first day of classes at BCHS Friday morning. BCHS principal Art Wheaton said counselors were being provided for students.
ourselves is this really true? but why? he was a leader,
someone to look up to. Our hearts are broken and we want
answers. Soon he will be the memory in our minds when we
look upon the BCfootball team, when we look in our cell
phones at his number,when we see that the missing place
in our hearts are of those we have lost that where so dear
to all of us. Hug one another,say I love you,say kind
words,help someone in need,never take anything for
granted,always forgive so that you can love. Remember
tomorrow is not promised to us.Our hearts and prayers
goes out to the family of such a great kid.
May God be with their families and friends.
This is sad.