Troopers Note Fatal Crash Trends During ‘100 Deadliest Days’
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 14, 2026) — State troopers say this year’s “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” brought a troubling mix of fatal crashes in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.
The stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day typically sees heavier traffic, and New Philadelphia Post Commander Lt. Bryan Sponaugle says Tuscarawas County recorded six fatal crashes resulting in seven deaths. Carroll County saw two fatal crashes that killed two people.
Sponaugle says two patterns stood out: motorcycle crashes in which riders were not at fault, and deadly crashes where victims weren’t wearing seat belts — cases where he says a belt “would have clearly saved a life.” Statewide, he says fatalities appear slightly higher than last year, though not by a large margin.