The father of a 16-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in a car accident found himself arrested for his attempt to enhance the safety of a bridge where his daughter met her unfortunate end. Cecily Mcree Hamilton lost her life when the car she was traveling in with her boyfriend plunged off a bridge in Gainesville, Georgia. Shannon Hamilton, Cecily’s father, stood by as law enforcement retrieved the vehicle from the river below the bridge. He shared with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “I bestowed a kiss upon her, conveyed my love, embraced her frigid form, and said my farewell.”
Hamilton firmly believed that the presence of a guardrail on the bridge could have prevented the tragedy. While local authorities shared this viewpoint, they informed him that plans to install the guardrail were awaiting approval, causing Hamilton to become concerned that he might witness another car accident at the same spot.
He expressed his concern, stating, “Each passing day brings another opportunity for a life to be endangered in that creek.”Driven by his apprehensions, Hamilton took it upon himself to address the situation, arriving at the bridge with his own excavator in a bid to establish a protective barrier. As reported by WSB-TV, Hamilton intended to create a berm, a temporary structure designed to deter vehicles from going over the bridge’s edge.
The berm was intended as a provisional solution while local authorities worked on a permanent one. However, before Hamilton could complete his work, White County deputies intervened, urging him to cease his actions. They warned him of potential arrest if he persisted in constructing the berm. Despite his grief, Hamilton continued working and was subsequently arrested on charges of interfering with government property. His son bore witness to the arrest.
Hamilton conveyed his gratitude to the officials, acknowledging the necessity of their actions, stating, “They had no other choice.” Following his release on bail, Hamilton received immense support from his local community. He stressed that his intention was never to break the law but rather, he felt a strong urge to shield other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.
To cope with his grief, Hamilton also began speaking at Cecily’s high school about safe driving, emphasizing the uncertainty of tomorrow. He stated, “Tomorrow is never guaranteed,” adding, “This is my way of grieving, and I’m maintaining a positive outlook to navigate through each day.”