January 31, 2017

Jason Hamilton, Shelley McKay Killed in Waller Co., TX, Accident

Waller County, TX -- January 27, 2017, Jason Hamilton and Shelley McKay were both killed as the result of a head-on car accident that occurred in southern Waller County.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident occurred just before 10:00 a.m. along I-10, several miles west of Houston.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Hamilton, a Houston Fire Department veteran, was traveling eastbound on the interstate in a Toyota Tundra. For reasons that aren't clear, the vehicle lost control and swerved into westbound traffic lanes, crossing paths with an oncoming Toyota 4Runner.

The two vehicles crashed head-on with each other. As a result, 61-year-old McKay, the driver of the 4Runner, died at the scene. Hamilton also suffered fatal injuries and died in the accident. A passenger from McKay's vehicle suffered critical injuries and was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment.

Factors contributing to the accident have yet to be determined. Authorities have withheld additional details pending their investigations.

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Withheld
I understand that Hamilton was drunk, not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from his truck and he had written a suicide note which was found (in his truck I think). I wish the news media would publish this information Shelley McKay was a wonderful sweet person and she was murdered. She’s survived by her husband of 40 years, her 2 daughters and many family and friends who are heartbroken

February 1, 2017 at 11:13 am Reply
1. Sue Hamilton
  You do not know for a fact that he was drunk. No one will know for several weeks when the toxicology report is complete. But, if he was indeed drunk, what do think it would accomplish if the news reported it? Would it make you feel better for his sons to see this published about their Daddy? This accident is tragic for both families. Please don’the try to make it worse. It will serve no purpose.
  
  February 6, 2017 at 1:40 pm Reply
Withheld
Let the investigation find out what actually happened. It’s a tragedy for both families. He left a 9 year old and 17 yo sons!
There has been NO mention of drinking whatsoever!

February 3, 2017 at 12:06 pm Reply
Withheld
Investigation Is completed. He was drunk! I wish the media would report the findings.

February 5, 2017 at 2:26 am Reply
1. Withheld
  No, the investigation is not complete. If you think you have an inside source;therefore you know more than others, you are mistaken.
  
  February 7, 2017 at 7:58 am Reply
Withheld
PROOF?
Read this.

http://abc13.com/topic/news/

February 8, 2017 at 7:00 am Reply
Withheld
NEWS
MEDICAL EXAMINER: FIREFIGHTER’S DEATH RULED SUICIDE AFTER CAUSING FATAL CRASH
Tuesday, February 07, 2017 11:17PM

Firefighter’s death ruled a suicide after he caused fatal accident, Miya Shay reports.

HOUSTON – The death of a Bastrop woman has been ruled a homicide after she was killed in a car crash that involved a firefighter with the Houston Fire Department. Firefighter Jason Hamilton’s death has been ruled a suicide.

The crash happened shortly after rush hour on January 27 along I-10 near Brookshire. Hamilton’s truck veered off the road, flipped, and smashed a small SUV being driven by Shelley McKay. Her daughter, Megan, was in the passenger seat.

Hamilton was thrown from his truck and killed. McKay was also killed at the crash site. Megan McKay was treated and released from the hospital.

McKay was laid to rest on Tuesday afternoon. Her friends and family remember the 62-year-old tennis player and gun club member fondly.

“Shelley was a very vibrant person with lots and lots of friends. She will certainly be missed,” her husband told Eyewitness News after her funeral.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s friends and neighbors are still in shock.

“I don’t believe it, not at all, not a chance,” said Eric St. Germain, who lives next door to Hamilton and his family.

St. German is a paramedic, and has worked briefly with Hamilton at the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department.

“Good guy, I really liked him, good neighbor, no issues,” he said.

Danny Gianfrancisco, who lives on the other side of the Hamilton home, also said his neighbor was a normal guy.

“He was in his garage lifting weights at five in the morning a lot, and uh, nice guy,” he said.

However, Gianfrancisco did notice something unusual just hours before the deadly crash. He says three Precinct 5 Constable’s vehicles were at the Hamilton home.

The Precinct 5 Constable’s Office has confirmed to Eyewitness News that Hamilton’s wife called, and filed a missing person’s report on the fireman around midnight, just nine hours before he crashed and killed McKay.

Shelley McKay’s family remembers her

“I was super surprised. I had no clue that happened, sad to see him go,” said St. Germain.

The Houston Fire Department said in a statement:

“The Houston Fire Department is deeply saddened by this event and our hearts go out to all those affected by that tragic accident. Whether a firefighter or a private citizen, all life is precious. We ask that you keep your thoughts and prayers with all the victims’ families and the survivor still recovering.”

McKay, who lived in Bastrop, leaves behind a husband of 40 years and two daughters. She is also a breast cancer survivor. McKay’s funeral was held Tuesday in Bastrop and attended by the Fire Chief of Westlake Volunteer Fire Department, where Hamilton worked part-time.

A toxicology test was conducted on Hamilton. Results are not yet available.

Texas DPS, who investigated the accident, said several written notes were found inside Hamilton’s truck. However, a spokesperson says the notes were not signed, and could not be categorized as a suicide note.

The Houston Professional Firefighters Association released the following statement:

“The troubling circumstances of Jason Hamilton’s death are a grim reminder of the prevalence of firefighter suicides and the terrible effects they have on families, friends and, in this case, innocent victims. Houston firefighters continue to grieve for the Hamilton and McKay families.

“Please continue to keep in your thoughts and prayers Jason’s wife, Laura, and their two sons, Cody and Bruce. We ask the same for the family of Shelley McKay, especially Ms. McKay’s daughter, Megan McKay, who was critically injured in the crash of the two vehicles.

“Looking ahead, we are working with the City of Houston, the Houston Fire Department, and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to find ways to further strengthen our wellness and suicide prevention programs for Houston firefighters. This is a growing problem in Houston and around the nation, and we want to help efforts to prevent tragedies like this one and too many before it.”
(Copyright ©2017 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

February 8, 2017 at 9:16 pm Reply

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Jason Hamilton, Shelley McKay Killed in Waller Co., TX, Accident

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