1 Killed in 18-Wheeler Accident on 10th Street in Wellsburg, WV

Wellsburg, WV — July 18, 2025, One person was killed following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred Friday morning near 10th Street.

According to reports, an 18-wheeler was traveling on 10th Street when for unknown reasons it lost control and left the roadway, crashing into the Ohio River.

First responders arrived and extricated the driver from the river and he was found to be deceased. No other vehicles were reported as being involved in the accident, and at this time officials have not released an update on the investigation’s status.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler ends up in a river, it’s clear that something went seriously wrong—but what exactly caused the driver to lose control remains a major unanswered question. According to early reports, the truck left 10th Street and crashed into the Ohio River, resulting in the driver’s death. That kind of crash doesn’t happen without a reason, and it’s the job of a thorough investigation to find out what that reason was.

At this point, we don’t know if the truck was speeding, if the road conditions played a role, or if something inside the cab—like a medical emergency or distraction—led to the loss of control. Was the driver swerving to avoid something? Did a mechanical failure prevent him from braking or steering properly? Those aren’t guesses—they’re questions that can and should be answered with the right evidence.

The truck’s engine control module (ECM) could reveal key information about the vehicle’s speed, braking activity, and steering inputs in the moments leading up to the crash. If the truck had dash cams or in-cab video, that footage could help confirm whether the driver was alert, distracted, or responding to some external threat. Investigators should also be looking at the truck’s maintenance records and whether any known mechanical issues were left unaddressed.

Even though no other vehicles were involved, that doesn’t mean this was a driver-only issue. I’ve handled cases where truck drivers were given unsafe schedules, forced to take unfamiliar routes, or sent out in vehicles with known mechanical problems. The driver may have been the last link in the chain, but the cause of the crash often starts long before the wheels leave the road.

Crashing into a river is not a common outcome, and it strongly suggests a catastrophic failure of either equipment, judgment, or company oversight. Without answers, the public is left to speculate—and that doesn’t serve the victim, the family, or the community.

Key Takeaways:

• The cause of the crash that sent an 18-wheeler into the Ohio River remains unknown.
• Possible contributing factors include distraction, mechanical failure, road conditions, or a medical emergency.
• ECM data, dash cam footage, and vehicle maintenance records will be essential to determining what happened.
• Even in single-vehicle crashes, company decisions about routes, schedules, and vehicle condition can play a role.
• A full investigation is the only way to uncover the truth and hold the appropriate parties accountable.