An 18-year-old recent high school graduate from Steamboat Springs died Thursday in an accident at Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, Virginia.

The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deceased as Jesse Hamric.

Hamric graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in May and played as the starting quarterback for the Sailors football team the last two seasons. He was also a standout player on the school’s baseball team, and carried a passion for snowboarding.

Jesse Hamric’s father, Jay, is the school’s principal and head football coach, and his mother, Heidi, works as a teacher at Strawberry Park Elementary School.

The Steamboat Springs School District issued a statement Friday expressing condolences while saying the high school would be open for staff and students with mental health and crisis response professionals available. A prayer vigil was held later Friday evening at Holy Name Catholic Church.

“During this difficult time, the Steamboat Springs School District wanted to provide our families, staff, and students with the opportunity to find comfort and community with one another by opening the doors to the high school to anyone who needed support,” the statement read. “Leaning on one another is more important now than ever. We would like to thank the mental health and crisis support professionals assisting our school community in processing this tragedy.”

The school district encouraged anyone who might need crisis support to call the Colorado Crisis Support line at 1-844-493-TALK, text “TALK” to 38255, or use other resources available through Mind Springs Health (970-241-6023), the Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386), the Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860), Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (970-846-8182) and Northwest Colorado Health (970-879-1632).

According to the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a call about a possible drowning at Smith Mountain Lake in the early morning hours Thursday. 

Fire, Rescue and law enforcement units arrived on scene and were advised by friends and family that, when they realized Hamric was in distress, two juveniles jumped into the water to try to help him and immediately felt an electrical current in the water.

According to multiple media outlets, deputies believe Hamric’s death could be a result of stray voltage coming from a privately owned dock on the lake. WVVA Channel 6 news reported that authorities tested the water and confirmed electricity was found.

The sheriff’s office reported the two juveniles were able to remove Hamric from the water and begin CPR before rescue units arrived. Hamric was taken to the hospital, where he passed away. 

The two juveniles who attempted to assist Hamric were treated at the scene and released.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are waiting for the medical examiner to determine an exact cause of death. The investigation is being treated as an accidental death.