On December 29th 2009, Kassy was texting while driving and not wearing a seatbelt. She lost control of her car, went into the opposing lane of traffic and was struck head on and died—she was 18.
Kassy was a 2009 graduate of Meridian High School in Idaho and had just completed her first semester at The College of Western Idaho, with future career plans of working in pediatrics.
According to Kassy’s family, when Kassy walked into a room the world lit up. People wanted to be near her and a part of her life. She was a joyful free spirit – full of life and love, teasing and laughter and had a passion for life.
Kassy loved all kinds of music – country, rap, rock, “head-banging awful stuff” and beautiful melodies. She also loved to tease. Her sisters taught her the finer art of teasing to include how to give superior wedgies! Her nieces and nephews would complain that she wasn’t their boss, but the next moment they would be sitting in her lap for story time and hugs and kisses.
Kassy loved clothes, shopping at the mall with friends and colors – the wilder the better. Her boyfriend, Vin, meant everything to her and was the subject of many of her conversations. She enjoyed working at the coffee shop “Moxie Java”, where she had been employed for about 2 years.
Kassy also loved her family. Her mom was her hero, her dad was her rock and her sisters and brother were her best friends.
The non-profit, Focus on the Drive, was established as a result of Kassy’s death. Kassy’s mother, Liz Catherman, speaks in Idaho schools about the dangers of distracted driving and shares Kassy’s story.
Kassy is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series. View the video below:
- Dianne Anderson, EndDD.org (L) holding a picture of her daughter, Casey Feldman and Liz Catherman with a picture of her daughter, Kassy Kerfoot after a presentation together in Boise, Idaho, 2013
