The fifth victim in the Ohio river drowning tragedy has been identified as a bright 18-year-old who dreamt of becoming a first responder and saving lives, according to his mother — who spent her birthday identifying his body.

Jonathan Gabriel Vargas, 18, was identified Thursday as the final victim in the devastating mass drowning in the Scioto River over the weekend after a fishing trip turned deadly, Univision News reported.

His heartbroken mother, Ana Vargas, spent her birthday on Wednesday in the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office identifying her son’s body, according to the news station.

Jonathan Vargas, a victim of the Ohio River tragedy, sitting at a table in a restaurant.
Jonathan Gabriel Vargas, 18, was identified Thursday as the final victim in the Ohio river drowning tragedy which killed 5.Univision
The teen had big dreams of becoming a firefighter and joining the US Navy, according to his mother.

“He wanted to join the Navy first, then become a firefighter. He wanted to work on ambulances,” Ana told the outlet.

Vargas was born in Maryland but had lived in El Salvador for several years and reunited with his mother and sister in 2021, the Spanish-language station reported.

He was the last of the five adults who drowned trying to save one another Sunday to be identified.

The five victims were seen fishing in waist-deep water in the Scioto River moments before disaster struck.

Group of people wading in the Scioto River while fishing.
The five victims were captured fishing in waist-deep water in the Scioto River before the fatal incident.AP
Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife Marina Suyapa Regaldo, 28, were identified Tuesday as one of two sets of parents who died in the water.

The second set of parents, Miguel Ángel Guerra and Carmen Idalia Lara Ferrera, both 33, were identified by the Honduran officials Wednesday.

Both couples were Honduran citizens.

Two adults and a child posing in front of a Christmas tree.
Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and Marina Suyapa Regaldo, 28, were identified as one of two parent couples who died.

Victims of the Ohio River drownings, Carmen Idalia Ferrera Lara and Miguel Angel Guerra Ruiz, posing for a photo.
Miguel Ángel Guerra and Carmen Idalia Lara Ferrera, both 33, also lost their lives in the drowning tragedy.Univision
One of the five had gone deeper into the water for a dip but began struggling so two others went in to try to save him. When they too began struggling, the remaining two adults tried to help them.

Not one person made it back to the shore alive.

Two young children at the scene horrifyingly watched their parents drown and were left orphans by the tragedy.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said all five victims lived in Columbus, OH., WCMH reported.

The drownings remain under investigation.

SOURCE: https://nypost.com/2026/07/24/us-news/final-victim-of-5-killed-in-ohio-river-drownings-idd-as-18-year-old-who-had-dreamt-of-becoming-firefighter/