Tragedy in Malta Township: Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of Waterford Man

Tragedy in Malta Township: Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of Waterford Man

MALTA TOWNSHIP, OH — June 21, 2025 — Authorities are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash in Morgan County after the body of a man was discovered in the Muskingum River near 416 N. Riverview Road. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Marietta Post, in conjunction with local emergency agencies, has confirmed that 31-year-old Kendrick D. Schwendenman of Waterford, Ohio, died following the crash, which is believed to have occurred late Thursday night.

Discovery of the Victim

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 10:17 a.m. Saturday morning, reporting a body visible in the river. Responding officers quickly located the deceased near the riverbank in Malta Township. The victim was later identified as Kendrick D. Schwendenman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities immediately began searching the area for possible clues as to what had led to his death. Their efforts led them to a crash site approximately a quarter mile south of Upper Douda Road on North Riverview Road.

The Crash Scene

A dive team from the Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene and confirmed that Schwendenman’s vehicle — a 1999 Ford F-350 pickup truck — had veered off the roadway and entered the river. According to investigators, Schwendenman had been traveling southbound when the truck crossed the centerline, went off the left side of the road, struck a tree, and overturned into the Muskingum River.

The crash is believed to have occurred sometime between 10:30 p.m. and midnight on Thursday, June 19, 2025. The vehicle remained submerged and hidden from view until its discovery the following morning.

A Multi-Agency Response

The scene was secured and thoroughly investigated by multiple agencies, including:

• Ohio State Highway Patrol – Marietta Post
• Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
• Washington/Morgan County Coroner’s Office
• Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team
• Westfall Towing and Recovery Services

The OSHP has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, which remains active as authorities work to determine if any other factors — such as speed, alcohol, road conditions, or mechanical failure — played a role in the crash.

Remembering Kendrick Schwendenman

Kendrick D. Schwendenman, 31, was a resident of Waterford, a nearby community in Washington County. Known by friends and family as a hardworking and kindhearted individual, news of his untimely death has rippled through both Waterford and Malta Township. Community members expressed shock and grief at the tragic accident, with tributes already beginning to appear on social media as those who knew him mourn the loss.

“He was the kind of person who’d give you the shirt off his back,” one friend wrote. “This is heartbreaking — just devastating.”

Roadway Conditions and Safety

North Riverview Road, which runs parallel to the Muskingum River, is a scenic but narrow route that locals say can be treacherous at night. The area near Upper Douda Road is lightly traveled and lacks street lighting, adding to the challenges of late-night driving.

Authorities are urging drivers in the area to exercise caution, particularly on rural roads after dark.

Investigation Ongoing

As the crash investigation continues, officials are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle in the area Thursday night or who has relevant information to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol Marietta Post.

This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks posed by rural driving conditions and the critical importance of roadway vigilance. The community now mourns the loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon.

More details will be released as they become available. The Columbian-Progress and local agencies will continue to provide updates.