Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission
WESTLAKE — Building inspectors from the three localities surrounding Smith Mountain Lake are working together to create a uniform code for dock inspections moving forward after a teen’s death in July.
 

Jesse Hamric, a 2024 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School in Colorado, died shortly after being rescued from the water near a dock of a lakefront home in Huddleston. According to reports, Hamric was seen in distress in the water and two witnesses jumped in the water to help him. They reported feeling as though they were being shocked as they removed him from the water.

 
Jesse Hamric
Hamric

 

It is believed stray voltage in the water caused Hamric’s death.

 
John Broughton, building official for Franklin County, discussed the changes to the inspection process with members of the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission on Tuesday. He said the issue of stray voltage is not new and he started working with building inspectors in 2019 to update the code, but the pandemic stalled those efforts.
 
 
“Tragically, a loss of life engaged us again,” Broughton said.