TEMPLE, Texas (AP) - A young girl has died and her father had his legs amputated after they were struck by a boat on a Central Texas lake.
Temple police said in a statement Saturday that 4-year-old Katlyn Oliver died about an hour after suffering severe lacerations from the propeller of a craft described by authorities as a recreational house boat.
Police say the boat struck both Katlyn and her 37-year-old father Friday evening at Temple Lake Park.
The unidentified father suffered his injuries as he attempted to help his daughter.
He was listed Saturday in serious condition.
According to the Austin-American Statesman, Jason Bernal, a 43-year-old Killeen man, is being held at the Bell County jail but online jail records don't indicate a charge against him.
Bernal was driving the boat that collided with Oliver and her father.
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UPDATE:
The Temple Police Department announced that 4-year-old Katlyn Oliver succumbed to her injuries and died at Scott and White Hospital.
Her father, who was not named, is still listed in serious condition at Scott and White, police said.
Justice of the Peace, David Barfield ordered an autopsy for Katlyn, who authorities said died at 7:45 p.m. Friday.
Police identified the driver of the boat that injured Katlyn and her father as Jason Bernal. Authorities said Bernal is in the Bell County Jail and said charges are pending.
Temple police said they are continuing their investigation into this case.
EARLIER:
Temple police are investigating an incident that left a 37-year-old man with amputated legs and his 4-year-old daughter with severe cuts, officials said Friday evening.
Officers were called at 6:47 p.m. to Temple Lake Park, where they found that the driver of a recreational house boat had run over the man and his daughter, officials said. The man had attempted to rescue his daughter after she was entangled in the propeller, they said.
“Temple Police Department Special Investigation’s Squad is currently conducting an investigation as to the cause of the accident,” according to a department statement. “It is unknown if any charges will be filed against the driver of the boat at this time.
The Police Department’s statement did not specify how the incident began.
The investigation is still preliminary and information is subject to change, the statement said.
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TEMPLE, Texas -- The operator of the house boat that hit and killed a 4-year-old girl Friday was charged Sunday with criminally negligent homicide.
Jason Stuart Bernal was initially arrested and booked in the Bell County Jail Saturday morning.
Kaitlyn Oliver, 4, was in the water at Temple Lake Park around 6:47 p.m. Friday when a 911 caller told police the house boat backed up and caught her in its propeller. Her father, Patrick, tried to save Kaitlyn, but his legs were severed in the process, police said Friday.
Kaitlyn was pronounced dead at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple at 7:45 p.m., according to Temple Police Spokesperson Shawana Neely. Justice of the Peace David Barfield ordered an autopsy.
Patrick is listed in serious condition, according to Temple Police Department.
Bernal's bond is set at $150,000.
Temple Police are still investigating the case and they said other charges may be forthcoming.
Criminally negligent homicide is a state jail felony. If convicted, Bernal could be sentenced to between 180 days and up to two years in state jail -- not penitentiary. Prior convictions or any circumstances revealed during the investigation of this case could potentially cause the charge and punishment range to be enhanced, Mitchell said.
The Oliver family launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and medical expenses. Learn more by clicking here.
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BELL COUNTY - Friday evening, 4-year-old Kaitlyn Oliver tragically passed away after being hit by a houseboat at Temple Lake Park.
The little girl was transferred to Baylor Scott & White Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, police confirmed with Channel 6 Saturday afternoon. Kaitlyn's father, Patrick, was severely injured in his attempts to save his little girl, and is currently in critical condition in the ICU.
The Oliver family has since started a GoFundMe page, humbly asking for donations for Kaitlyn's funeral expenses, as well as Patrick's medical bills.
Crotty Funeral home in Belton has also offered to cover Kaitlyn's funeral free of charge.
The Oliver family shared this message with the fundraiser:
Recently, many lives were irreparably altered by the tragic loss of Kaitlyn Oliver, a sweet, vivacious, beautiful four-year old girl.
Here's the news story of the accident:
This innocent child loved her dog, Kion, singing along to Frozen, and cuddling with her family. Kaitlyn was deeply loved by her parents, Patrick and Mary Ann, as well as her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In a brave attempt to save his daughter's life, Patrick was critically injured, and is currently in ICU.
On behalf of our grieving family, we humbly ask for donations that will be used for Kaitlyn's funeral expenses, as well as for Patrick's recovery.
At the time of the accident Patrick was in the process of changing jobs and medical insurance had not yet started.
Proceeds will be used to help with the medical bills, funeral costs, and related expenses.
Any amount is sincerely appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Please, please share!
With gratitude,
The family of Kaitlyn, Patrick, and Mary Ann
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Temple police are investigating a boating accident that led to a 4-year-old girl becoming trapped in a propeller and her father losing both legs while trying to save her.
Officers responded to Temple Lake Park at 6:47 PM Friday. There, they discovered that the driver of a recreational house boat had run over a 37-year-old man and his daughter. After the young girl became caught in the vessel’s propeller, the man attempted to rescue her and sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.
The young girl sustained multiple lacerations.
Father and daughter were transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in serious condition.
Temple PD’s Special Investigations Squad is working to determine the cause of the accident. As of Friday evening, it was unclear if charges would be filed against the driver of the boat.
Rick Smith with Marine Outlet told KTEM-AM that the boat was a 50-foot Gibson registered to a Killeen resident. Smith was assisting with the recovery of the boat Saturday morning.
Temple
police are investigating a boating accident that led to a 4-year-old
girl becoming trapped in a propeller and her father losing both legs
while trying to save her.
Officers responded to Temple Lake Park at 6:47 PM Friday. There, they discovered that the driver of a recreational house boat had run over a 37-year-old man and his daughter. After the young girl became caught in the vessel’s propeller, the man attempted to rescue her and sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.
The young girl sustained multiple lacerations.
Father and daughter were transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in serious condition.
Temple PD’s Special Investigations Squad is working to determine the cause of the accident. As of Friday evening, it was unclear if charges would be filed against the driver of the boat.
Rick Smith with Marine Outlet told KTEM-AM that the boat was a 50-foot Gibson registered to a Killeen resident. Smith was assisting with the recovery of the boat Saturday morning.
Read More: Belton Lake Boat Accident Leaves Man, Daughter Wounded | http://ktemnews.com/belton-lake-boating-accident-leads-to-man-losing-legs-while-trying-to-save-daughter/?trackback=tsmclip
Officers responded to Temple Lake Park at 6:47 PM Friday. There, they discovered that the driver of a recreational house boat had run over a 37-year-old man and his daughter. After the young girl became caught in the vessel’s propeller, the man attempted to rescue her and sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.
The young girl sustained multiple lacerations.
Father and daughter were transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in serious condition.
Temple PD’s Special Investigations Squad is working to determine the cause of the accident. As of Friday evening, it was unclear if charges would be filed against the driver of the boat.
Rick Smith with Marine Outlet told KTEM-AM that the boat was a 50-foot Gibson registered to a Killeen resident. Smith was assisting with the recovery of the boat Saturday morning.
Read More: Belton Lake Boat Accident Leaves Man, Daughter Wounded | http://ktemnews.com/belton-lake-boating-accident-leads-to-man-losing-legs-while-trying-to-save-daughter/?trackback=tsmclip