Local Middle School Student Dies on Spring Break

Over the weekend, the families of North Fulton students learned the sad news that a local middle school student had been killed over spring break.

Former Hillside Elementary student James McHenry was vacationing with his family on Hutchinson Island last week when he was hit by a car Wednesday, April 3, according to a notice sent out by Hillside Principal Maisha Otway over the weekend.

"Jamie, as he was called by his friends and family, attended Haynes Bridge Middle School," wrote Otway. "He was a former Hillside student and sibling to our dear [fifth] grade student Emily McHenry."

A Channel 5 news report from the area suggests McHenry, 13, had been crossing the road with a friend around 7:25 p.m. when he was struck and killed by a 73-year-old driver. Airlifted to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Hillside will have a "CARE team" - which consists of counselors, social workers, and school psychologists - available to speak with children who need grief support as they come back to school on Monday, April 8.

"If you notice any changes in your child in a way that concerns you, please contact the school," Otway wrote. "We will have one of our CARE team staff talk individually with your child. At Hillside it is important that all of our students are provided the necessary emotional support as we all work together as a community in this time of loss."

The McHenry visitation will be held, Tuesday, April 9 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. And a Rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. at the Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road in Roswell. The funeral mass will be held, Wednesday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at Saint Brigid Catholic Church, 3400 Old Alabama Road in Johns Creek.

A memorial fund has been set up to accept donations, which can be made to the Jamie McHenry Memorial Fund at any Bank of America location.