Arrangements, memorial fund set for Conor Burch | News

HAMPTON, Ga. (WXIA) -- Funeral arrangements have been announced  for Conor Burch, the 11-year-old who died after being hit by a car on the way to his bus stop Thursday morning. 

Through a statement by the police department, the family said they had been "overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and support from the community."

RELATED | Child dies after being hit by car

No charges have been filed against the woman who hit 11-year-old Conor Burch as he ran to catch his bus Thursday morning.  Burch died four hours after being airlifted from the scene of the Locust Grove accident.  The Georgia State Patrol is conducting the investigation because Burch was the son of a 20-year veteran of the Henry County Police Department. 

Whether or not charges will be filed against 57-year-old Claudia McGahee depends largely on whether the investigation determines the school bus had its lights on and stop arm fully extended.  There were witnesses interviewed in other cars at the scene in addition to the bus driver.  Along with those interviews, the GSP will also be examining the bus' video camera for evidence. 

A clearer picture is emerging of McGahee though she has not yet been reached for comment by 11Alive news.  McGahee stayed at the scene of the accident for several hours Thursday morning.  She told police she is now living in Locust Grove, but her last listed address is 10 miles away in Hampton, Georgia. 

Former Hampton neighbors described McGahee and her husband Arthur as kind and caring people.  Vacancy notices and code violations were posted on the door of their home two weeks ago, but county records did not show the property as having entered foreclosure proceedings. 

The well-manicured neighborhood near tiny downtown Hampton has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, and residents pointed to several other homes nearby that were underwater or vacant.  One neighbor described the McGahees as the hard-working parents of adult children, but she said they moved away several months ago. 

"They were so fond of their kids," said a neighbor who only wanted to be identified as Mrs. Cooper.  "I hate that this happened to them, they must be feeling terrible."   

Cooper said Claudia McGahee was always busy working 12-hour shifts at a local gas station.  Records show McGahee's husband Arthur ran a vending machine business out of their home.  Thursday red lilies were blooming around the mailbox of the McGahees' old home, and they matched the lilies at the houses of several neighbors.  Neighbor Alana Valencia said the flowers were special gifts from the couple. 

"Anywhere you see those flowers, you know they were friends of the McGahees," Valencia said.  

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

A Memorial Fund for Conor Burch has been established at Heritage Bank.  Donations may be made at the McDonough/Keys Ferry Office.  The account number is 79043289 and is titled Conor Burch Memorial Fund. 

Viewing 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15^th, at Haisten Funeral Home on S. Zack Hinton Pkwy. in McDonough.

Funeral Services will be Monday, April 16^th, at 3:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church on Hwy. 155 in McDonough.