Updated: Monday, September 20, 1999 - 7 p.m.

Firehouse.Com News

A volunteer firefighter from a rural Ohio department was killed on Monday, September 13, when a dump truck pulled in front of his vehicle while responding to the fire station.

Kenneth Cashman, 29, a volunteer firefighter with the Auglaize Township Volunteer Fire Department in northwest Ohio, died from injuries sustained in the early morning crash.

Shortly before 7 a.m., firefighters were called for a reported house fire. While responding to the station to pick up an emergency vehicle, a dump truck loaded with stone pulled in front of Cashman's vehicle, according to Fire Chief Don Johnson, at the intersection of Paulding County Road 179 and Ohio 637.

The driver of the truck will be charged with vehiclular homicide, Johnson said.

At the time of the crash, Cashman's vehicle was legally operating as an emergency vehicle in the State of Ohio. The vehicle's emergency lights, siren and headlights were flashing.

The five-year veteran and leaves behind a wife, Laura, a son, Alex, and four step-children, Jon, Dusty, Ashley and Nathan Dobbelaere. He is also survived by both his parents, a brother and grandmother.

Cashman was the owner of Cashman's Club 111, a restaurant, and an assistant varsity football coach at Holgate High School. He was a member of Arthur Telephone Company's board of directors, Auglaize Township Fire Department, Paulding Eagles Aerie 2405, Defiance Elks Lodge 147, National Wildlife Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and a social member of VFW Post 3360.

Funeral services were held last week.

Those wishing to make a donation to Cashman's family should contact the Auglaize Township Fire Department in Defiance, Ohio.