Jesse Hamric: An 18-year-old from Colorado dies in a maritime accident on July 4

Jesse Hamric, 18, of Colorado, died when he jumped into a live lake during Independence Day celebrations at Smith Mountain Lake outside Roanoke, Virginia. Two of his friends were also injured in the incident, which occurred around 4 a.m.

Hamric, a recent graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, was visiting Virginia with family and friends when he jumped into the lake. His friends immediately realized something was wrong and rushed to help, receiving electric shocks themselves. Despite their injuries, they managed to pull Hamric from the water and administer CPR until emergency responders arrived. Hamric was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Firefighters investigating the incident confirmed the presence of electrical current in the water, which was traced to stray voltage from a dock of a nearby private home. The Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue volunteer rescue dive team checked the voltage with a shock tester and the homeowner was notified. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and does not suspect foul play.

Jesse Hamric was well known in his hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He was a standout in both football and baseball at Steamboat Springs High School, where he graduated in May. His father, Jay Hamric, is the school’s principal and his mother, Heidi, teaches at Strawberry Park Elementary School. Friends and community members remember Jesse as a positive and smiling presence who was well loved by all who knew him.

Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe page was set up to support the Hamric family and create the Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love. The Steamboat Springs community has rallied around the Hamrics and additional funds have been set up at Yampa Valley Bank to help the family without the fees associated with GoFundMe.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a Steamboat Springs High School graduate,” the school said in a statement. “Please take a moment to take care of yourselves, reach out to those around you, and care for one another. Our thoughts are with all of you,” the school added.