Williams, Donald Damien

Donald Damien Williams

June 24, 1975 - May 13, 1993

The Daily Clintonian

Friday, May 14, 1993

"North Vermillion Teenager Loses Life at Turkey Run"

A 17-year-old youth drowned Thursday afternoon in Turkey Run State Park's Sugar Creek in an alcohol-related incident.

According to a news release issued by the Parke County Sheriff's Department, D. Damien Williams, 17, a senior at North Vermillion High School, was pronounced dead at 4:12 p.m. Thursday by the Parke County coroner.

The report said that at 2:17 p.m. Thursday, the sheriff's department received a report of a possible drowning at Goose Rock in Turkey Run State Park.

Conservation Officer Kent Hutchins arrived at the scene around five minutes later and was told by the victim's four companions they had been jumping off Goose Rock inton the high-water creek. All the boys were North Vermillion High School seniors.

According to police, Williams became distressed and called for help, but submerged before a companion could reach him. The sheriff's department said water below the large rock was 10 feet deep.

Parke County Sheriff Mark Bridge and several deputies responded along with another conservation officer and the Parke County Ambulance Service.

Williams was located by Hutchins and aggressive CPR efforts were immediately initiated. LifeLine helicopter was called to the scene and EMS personnel re-established a heartbeat on the victim.

At 4:12 p.m., while preparing to take the teenager via LifeLine, the pulse was lost and could not re-established. An autopsy was scheduled for today.

The sheriff's department said alcohol is believed to be a primary factor in the death.

According to North Vermillion High School Principal Oren Sutherlin, area ministers were at the school today to counsel students on an individual basis.

"Damien will definitely be missed at our school," said Sutherlin. "He was a quiet boy, very nice and well-liked by his classmates."

The principal described Williams as full of energy with a good sense of humor.

The educator said Williams was an athlete. He played baseball and was on the wrestling team.

Don Corey was his baseball coach the past four years. "He was a great hitter for us," said the coach of Williams, who had a .460 batting average--one of the best on the team. He had six home runs this spring which was also one of the best performances on the team this year.

"He was well behaved," said the coach. "A perfect gentleman and a great competitor. He would do anything for the team and was everyone's best fan."

Donald Damien Williams is buried in Hopewell Cemetery, Rileysburg, Indiana.