The Baldwin community mourns the loss of 12-year-old Dalton Hill, who tragically passed last weekend during a racing accident at Echeconnee Motocross in Crawford County.
Dalton is the son of Phillip and Emily Ethridge Hill. He was a seventh-grade student at Georgia Military College Preparatory School and, according to his obituary, enjoyed wrestling, cross country and playing baseball. Above all else, however, he enjoyed riding his dirt bike.
His family wrote in his obituary, “He loved competitive dirt bike racing. He was fondly known as Mac & Cheese from his dirt bike number. Everyone that raced with him always knew when he arrived and they saw No. 330, he was the one to beat.”
On Feb. 1, Dalton had recently earned two first-place finishes and one thirdplace finish in a competition, according to his father’s Facebook page. A week later, on Feb. 8, according to a 13WMAZ article, Hill experienced a fatal accident while riding in a qualifying race for the King’s Cup. Hill sustained multiple injuries from the accident and was taken to Atrium Navicent Health Macon for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. “He had something in him that most don’t. He was a special kid. I always knew it. He was faithful and had more heart than you could imagine in everything he did,” wrote his father on Facebook.
“We’re broken beyond words. Thanks for all the messages and support for us cause we need it.”
The community showed an outpouring of support and love in the wake of Dalton’s passing.
According to a 13WMAZ article, Dalton’s three best friends, Eli Garner, Lofton Binion, and Hunter Borders, honored his memory by organizing a t-shirt printing event at Letter Loop on Sunday night. On Monday, students wore the shirts to school and GMC Prep lowered its flag to half-staff to honor the student’s passing.
“Dalton’s life was a gift to all who knew him. His kindness, joy, and bright spirit left an undeniable mark on our institution, and he will be deeply missed,” wrote GMC Prep on Facebook.
Baldwin County Fire Rescue updated the Coopers Station 4 sign to say “RIP Dalton Hill” with Dalton’s number 330 listed below his name.
“Thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dalton Hill, who was taken too soon following a dirt bike incident. May the family of this young man find comfort in your prayers,” Baldwin County Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook.
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation naming Wednesday, Feb.
12, Dalton Hill Day of Memory. The proclamation recognizes that “his teachers, friends and fellow citizens describe Dalton Hill as a light with a servant’s heart.”
Community member Susan Watson started a GoFundMe to support Dalton’s family. As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had $43,115 raised of its $45,000 goal. One of the top donations came from Capitol Cycle that specializes in motorcycles, ATVs, bikes and more. Donating $1,000, the company’s contribution compliments Dalton’s love and success for dirt bike racing.
“We are deeply heartbroken by the passing of a member of our Motocross family, Dalton Hill, at this weekend’s race. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Dalton’s family and friends. Please wrap your arms around the Hill Family and everyone affected by this tragic accident,” wrote Echeconnee MX on Facebook.
To view the GoFundMe, visit gofundme.com/f/ in-loving-memory-of-dalton- hill.