Man killed working on vehicle, unconscious child at water park among July 4th weekend 911 calls
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (July 6, 2025) – Area first responders had anything but a relaxing Fourth of July weekend.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell says a child – approximately three years old – was found unconscious in the deep end of the pool at the Uhrichsville Water Park Sunday around 3:30 p.m. and flown to Akron Children’s Hospital. There were no immediate updates on the child’s condition.
This follows what Campbell says appears to have been a tragic accident Saturday where 37-year-old Ronald Dague II was fatally crushed by the vehicle he was working on at his residence on state Route 258 in Rush Township when the jack gave out. Family members returning home made the discovery and called 911 at 5:35 p.m.
Call records then indicate later Saturday around 10:50 p.m. deputies were called to a French Hill Road Southwest home for a 34-year-old Lawrence Township man who allegedly was holding on to a young child and a loaded rifle as he was wearing protective military gear and verbally abusing family members. Campbell says it’s believed the man was intoxicated and suffering from PTSD.
He says the man refused to surrender, despite ongoing negotiations, so deputies eventually saw an opening to rush and disarm him. Nobody was injured. He says the man was jailed while facing weapons, child endangering, aggravated menacing, and other possible charges. He would also undergo a mental health evaluation.
Campbell also says deputies over the Independence Day weekend spent time searching for a man reported missing near the Tuscarawas River in Bolivar following an argument with his girlfriend. He says that man later turned up OK at his home in Louisville.