A shocking lawsuit has revealed disturbing allegations against a Texas scuba diving school, where the owner reportedly told instructors the business could withstand two student fatalities per year without significant consequence. The legal action follows the tragic drowning of 12-year-old Dylan Harrison during a certification class in August 2025.
Heartbreaking Loss of a Young Diver
Dylan Harrison, affectionately known as 'Dillie Picklez' by her family, was eagerly pursuing her National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Open Water diving certification. The 12-year-old hoped to join her family members in underwater activities, but her dreams ended tragically on August 16, 2025, during a training session at The Scuba Ranch in Terrell, Texas.
Harrison vanished during the class and was later found approximately 45 feet underwater, about 35 feet from the training platform. The young girl, described as small in stature at 4'10" and 78 pounds, had been assured by both NAUI and Scubatoys that she could complete the course safely.
Chilling Allegations Surface
The lawsuit filed on January 30 by Harrison's parents, Heather and Mitchell, contains startling claims about the scuba school's attitude toward safety. According to legal documents, Joseph Johnson, owner of Scubatoys, was "seen bragging to a roomful of Scubatoys Instructors" that the business could tolerate two student deaths annually and still remain financially viable.
Unearthed footage from 2017 allegedly shows Johnson responding to concerns about lawsuits with disturbing nonchalance. "All I know is we've killed what, four people, five people, and we've never even done a deposition," Johnson reportedly stated. He added, "Our insurance company just settles. John Witherspoon said we can kill two people a year and we'll be fine."
Supervision Failures and Search Chaos
The 41-page lawsuit details multiple failures in supervision and emergency response. Jonathan Roussel, a divemaster overseeing Harrison's lessons, had promised her parents, "I will not take my eyes off your daughter." However, on the tragic day, Harrison became separated from Roussel, her instructor Bill Armstrong, and seven other students.
Armstrong, who also serves as a Collin County Assistant Chief Deputy, went to search for Harrison while Roussel escorted other students to shore. According to the lawsuit, both men were "seen leaving the area" and were "reportedly unhelpful in guiding the search" for the missing girl.
The initial search was described as "disorganized and inefficient, wasting valuable time." Armstrong was reportedly "bone dry" when the search began, raising questions about his immediate response. A proper search was eventually initiated, leading to Harrison's discovery underwater within seven minutes, approximately 30 minutes after she was last seen alive.
Tragic Discovery and Aftermath
Harrison was found unresponsive at the bottom of the pool with her nose bleeding. Her regulator, essential for breathing underwater, was out of her mouth. The lawsuit notes her scuba tank contained approximately 1,650 psi of air, indicating it was about 55 percent full at the time of recovery.
Following the tragedy, The Scuba Ranch released a statement expressing heartbreak over the loss and announcing that Armstrong had been "permanently suspended." Scubatoys was also suspended from training pending investigation results. The diving shop officially closed its doors on January 31, one day after the lawsuit was filed, ending 28 years of operation.
Legal Action and Demands
Harrison's parents are seeking unspecified damages from The Scuba Ranch, Scubatoys, and employees present during the incident. They have requested a jury trial to address what they believe represents gross negligence and a cavalier attitude toward student safety.
The lawsuit raises serious questions about safety standards in recreational diving instruction and the accountability of certification agencies. With multiple regulatory bodies represented during Johnson's alleged comments—including NAUI regional representative Rick Golden and Johnson's wife Sandy, a regional director with another certification agency—the case highlights potential systemic issues in dive industry oversight.
