Former DeKalb School Board Member Killed In Alabama Watercrash

RANDOLPH COUNTY, AL — Jim McMahan, who served on the DeKalb County School Board from 2013 to 2018, was killed Sunday morning in a water crash on Lake Wedowee. McMahan's water craft collided with another craft driven by his daughter, according to Alabama public safety officials. McMahan was 53, while his daughter, who was taken to a local hospital, is 17.

"We would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers as our family goes through this horrible tragedy," a McMahan family spokesperson said. "We would appreciate healing prayers for our daughter as she recovers from her injuries. We thank you for respecting our privacy."

“Mr. McMahan will truly be missed by our board," said Dr. Michael Erwin., chair of the DeKalb County School District board. "Jim wanted to ensure our students excelled academically and that the school district upheld its fiscal responsibility to our stakeholders. His commitment to the DeKalb County School District will never be forgotten. It has been an honor to work by his side.”

"Our hearts go out to Jim McMahan’s family and we will continue to keep the McMahan family in our thoughts and prayers," said Dr. R. Stephen Green, school system superintendent. "Jim’s commitment to the success and achievement of our students was exemplary. He will be greatly missed.”

"We were shocked and saddened to hear the news today about the death of our friend, neighbor, and fellow board member, Jim McMahan," said Mitch Leff of the nonprofit Lakeside Foundation. "He died in an accident Sunday morning, which also seriously injured his younger daughter. Jim has been a force in our community, tirelessly working to improve the educational experience for our children. As a member of the DeKalb County School Board and as a board member for the Lakeside High School Foundation, his contributions and energy have been an inspiration. He will be missed."

McMahan's daughter's leg was reportedly severely injured in the crash, according to ABC 33/40.

Lake Wedowee is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta.

McMahan did not to seek re-election in 2018. He was the owner of McMahan Mortgage.