Bedford Sheriff identified SML electrocution victim as 18-year-old from Colorado

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. ( WFXR ) – The Bedford County Sheriff’s office has released the identity of the victim killed during the possible electrocution incident that occurred at Smith Mountain Lake.

The sheriff says the victim was 18-year-old Jesse Hamric from Colorado.

An official cause of death has not been determined at this time. The medical examiner’s office has told WFXR news that an autopsy will be conducted later today.

Huddleston Volunteer Fire Chief William Kirby told WFXR News that his department answered a call from a medic responding to the scene from Bedford. According to Chief Kirby, all three individuals were originally reported to have been electrocuted.

While electrocution is still speculated to be the cause of death, Chief Kirby said a boat lift was present at the, and if that is confirmed it indicates a possible issue with that boat lift.

The investigation is still ongoing; however, no further information will be released at this time.

Check back with WFXR News soon for more updates.

–

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. ( WFXR ) – The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office says one person was killed and two more suffered minor injuries during an outing at Smith Mountain Lake on July 4.

Details remain limited; however, Captain Stephen Anders from Bedford County Sheriff’s Office told WFXR that three people at a private home with a dock on Lee Drive in Huddleston were gathering with family and friends when the incident occurred.

Witnesses at the scene told deputies they saw the victim was in distress. The two juveniles then entered the water in a rescue attempt and they also immediately began to feel shocked.

They removed the victim from the water and began CPR unit EMS personnel arrived on the scene.

The victim, who was from out of state, was taken to the hospital and later passed away.

Investigators are waiting for a report from the medical examiners, but the cause of death is believed to be electrocution.

The two juveniles were treated at the scene and released. The investigation is ongoing and being treated as an accidental death.

WFXR News reached out to Park Rangers from the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, however, they said they were unable to comment at this time. They reiterated to WFXR that the accident occurred outside of the state park.

Check back with WFXR News soon for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.