18-year-old electrocuted, dies, after jumping into Virginia lake: Reports
An 18-year-old man was killed while two others were injured after they jumped into a lake with electric current in the water over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, WABJ reported.
Jesse Hamric, 18, was visiting Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia with his family and friends from Colorado where he dived into the lake waters around 4 a.m. Thursday and was killed by the presence of stray voltage in the lake, Bedford County Sheriff's Office said, according to WABJ.
Upon seeing him in distress, two others jumped into the water to help save him, where they immediately felt shocked. However, they were able to come out of the waters and were walking around when authorities arrived on scene, WABJ reported.
All three were transported to a local hospital, where Hamric was pronounced deceased and the other two were reported to have sustained injuries, according to the local media outlet.
Stray voltage caused current
Deputies said that a stray voltage at a dock caused the electrocution, WABJ reported, adding that the fireboat crew tested the water and confirmed the presence of electric currents in it. The dock is located at a private residence and the homeowner has been notified, as per the media outlet.
Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire and Rescue Chief Todd Ohlerich told USA TODAY that the department's shock alert tester found voltage in the water.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, WABJ reported, adding that they do not suspect foul play. The exact cause of death, however, is not yet known. USA TODAY has reached out to the Bedford County's Sheriff's Office for an update on the investigation.
Hamric, who was visiting Virginia from Steamboat Springs in Colorado, had recently graduated from high school and was the former quarterback of his school's football team and was also on the baseball team, according to WABJ.
Smith Mountain Lake is located about 180 miles from Richmond.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.
