Police investigating a tragic accident that caused a tractor-trailer to crash into the Ohio River near Wellsburg, West Virginia, have identified brake failure as the likely cause and confirmed the identity of the driver who was killed in the crash.

The incident occurred around 9:14 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, when a heavily-loaded truck lost control on Washington Pike (W.Va. 27) approaching Route 2. According to Wellsburg Police Chief Mike Allman, the preliminary investigation indicates the truck lost its braking ability as it descended toward the intersection.

The driver was identified as 62-year-old Gerald Davis Jr., who held a commercial driver’s license from Texas. Tragically, Davis was pronounced dead after rescue divers retrieved him from the submerged cab near 10th Street.

The truck, owned by Gladiator Energy, was transporting specialized equipment from a natural gas operation in Smithton, Pennsylvania, to Colliers, West Virginia. Authorities confirmed the tractor-trailer had a special permit due to its weight and dimensions—193,000 pounds and 15 feet high—exceeding typical roadway limits. The vehicle was accompanied by escort vehicles due to these oversize conditions.

One of the escort drivers reportedly radioed Davis about smoke emanating from the truck shortly before the crash. Despite the brake failure, Davis managed to navigate through multiple intersections, narrowly avoiding other vehicles and pedestrians, before eventually crashing into the riverbank, striking a tree, and plunging into the Ohio River.

According to Brooke County Emergency Management Director Greg Moore, rescue and recovery efforts involved approximately a dozen divers from several agencies, including Weirton, Wheeling, North Strabane Township (Pa.), and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Gladiator Energy arranged for the tractor-trailer’s removal from the river on Saturday morning. The investigation continues to determine further details surrounding this tragic incident.

According to The Intelligencer, authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances of the crash.