Site Comments

I rarely ever feel the need to comment on such news stories, however I am completely disgusted that any insinuation that because Travis may have been drinking it somehow casts a negative light on efforts to support him. This is a child. Shame on everyone who would attempt to spin this story for ratings. I hope Channel 36 has learned from this in that any viewers they did have, like me, are not impressed.

I'm disgusted at the whole ABC 36 team for running this story after such a horrible accident! You all should be ashamed of yourselves! People make mistakes... even IF he did have a drink, nobody is perfect! You all are quick to make assumptions... making a ass out of yourself!

I am horrified that you would report these "allegations" after such a tragic and life changing event. It was spring break and teens can make poor decisions IF what you say is true. The facts are not facts but suspicions and allegation. The FACT is your news coverage is third in our area for a reason. THIS is the type of reporting that makes you guys the LEAST watch channel in our community. BECOME a part of the community if you want to gain ratings. Don't try to further one young man's hurt when he is overcoming the biggest challenge of his life and doing so with grace!

ABC36 keep up the good work. Some 70,000 dollars has been donated for this "accident". Wonder if the donors would've given so graciously in tough economic times had they known beforehand that alcohol was involved. These kids were suspended from school just before spring break for drinking at the basketball games. This stuff doesn't happen from time to time...it happens all the time when the parents look the other way. It's obvious that some parents were trying to cover it up from the start. There is a reason the legal drinking age is 21 people.

Clearly WTVQ is desperate to move up in the ratings and think they can do so by sensationalism journalism. Guess what? It has backfired on you! Because of your insensitivity and questionable "facts", I will NEVER watch your station again and will do my best to encourage all my friends to turn to other stations as well. Shame, shame, shame on you!!! My prayers remain with Travis and his family as he continues to make a new life. Perhaps your story should have been focused on his incredibly positive attitude and the love & support he has been given by so many. THAT might have given you a ratings boost.

I am disgusted that you would even consider writing a story this insane. Disgusted. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Those of you who have teenage children and work at this station (and I personally know some of you do!) know they do stupid stuff time to time. Sometimes they pay for it with their lives. Travis' life will forever be altered by these events. It doesn't matter what lead up to them. What matters now is the quality of his life. You think you were in last place before this story came out? Now look where you'll be. I remain ashamed of you, disgusted and I will never watch your station again.

Leave Travis, his family and friends alone. The police officer did not say he saw Travis drink alcohol, didn't say Travis or his friends appeared intoxicated! "A "witness" says Gaines' "friends" "claimed" he drank alcohol. Where is any evidence to support any of these claims? Are there witness' names in the report? What friends? This is a terrible piece of reporting with no regards to this student or his family. In regards to FCPS statement "the student discipline that was taken has happened",they meant to say school officials interrogated students when they returned from spring break. That was their way of "investigating the situation." Travis, his teammates and other students were enjoying the beach on their day off from baseball. They traveled with their parents to Florida and FCPS didn't have any business investigating anything. It had nothing to do with any school event or function. If anything the schools should have supported the students by offering counseling when they returned as they were all traumatized after witnessing the accident. But instead they interrogated them on more than one occasion and told them lies trying to get them to admit to things that never happened. It was only after they finished their investigation, two weeks after they returned from spring break, that they decided to offer the kids some counseling. I am disgusted with the administration of Dunbar and their handling of this accident and their treatment of the baseball coaching staff, players and their families. It is only because my son has to return to Dunbar, that I am not giving my name. I have seen how Travis' friends were harassed by school administrators over the past several weeks. Why don't you investigate them? Ask school officials how many kids they suspended last week because students met in the parking lot before school for the traditional breakfast cookout. They left the lot, after being instructed to, only to be suspended when they returned.

As a former Dunbar student I would like to say ABC should be ashamed of themselves for reporting such a thing. On the night this family has returned to Lexington after everything they have been through you decide to report this? It’s an ACCIDENT they are kids, but for this to be reported is the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen. In no way was minors drinking proven in the report, and the fact Fayette County Public schools decided to discipline Travis friends and teammates for what happen the day of the accident is absolutely absurd. You can still donate to the Travis Gaines fund through Fifth Third Bank or by visiting the Lets Rally for Travis Gaines Facebook page. ABC the least you could do is let the family be alone through this tragic time. Put yourself in their situation. I hope the community will continue to support Travis through everything he has been through regardless of this report.

You just can't leave this kid alone, can you? It could have happened with or without alcohol. You need help

Teenagers and alcohol don't mix. This was an accident that could've been prevented. Whoever provided them with the alcohol should be held accountable.