Friends remember Colorado teenager Jesse Hamric after his accident at Smith Mountain Lake

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. (WFXR) – Following the death of Jesse Hamric, who was believed to have been killed by accidental electrocution while on a family vacation at Smith Mountain Lake over the Fourth of July weekend, friends shared insight into what the loss means to them.

Alex Schwab and Jesse had known each other for three years and shared a love of snowboarding.
“He was the person I always wanted to be around. I always told him that I really loved him, he was so special to me. I will miss him every day,” Schwab said.

Jesse Hamric grew up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a small ski town. He graduated from high school a few weeks ago, played football and baseball, and is also known as a talented snowboarder.

Friends who jumped into the water to help Jesse also reported being in shock. The coroner’s results on the official cause of death are still pending.

The Hamric family has started a GoFundMe campaign in his name: “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Fund for Courage and Love”.