An Ohio truck driver survived a 250-foot drop over a ravine on Sandstone Mountain, known as one of the most hazardous highway sites in West Virginia, according to Associated Press reports.
Officials said James Irwin, 34, underwent surgery after suffering a broken leg and several cuts and abrasions. Police say he was driving east on Sandstone Mountain near Beckley, W.Va., last week when his truck's brakes failed and he lost control. More than 40,000 pounds of steel scattered in the nearby hillsides.
Sandstone Mountain is a curving 5-mile stretch of Interstate 64 that has a 7 percent grade. The speed limit is 45 mph for trucks and 70 mph for passenger vehicles.
Trucker Survives 250-foot Plunge
An Ohio truck driver survived a 250-foot drop over a ravine on Sandstone Mountain, known as one of the most hazardous highway sites in West Virginia, according to Associated Press reports
by Staff
July 14, 20001 min to read
Topics:Safety & Compliance
More Safety & Compliance
HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
Sponsored•March 31, 2026
Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
Aperia Expands Halo Platform with Steer-Tire Inflation System, Fifth-Wheel Integration
Aperia Technologies introduced a new automatic tire inflation system for steer axles and a partnership with Fontaine Fifth Wheel to integrate coupling status into its Halo Connect platform.
Read More →
Fleetworthy and HAAS Alert Expand Partnership Stopped Truck Protection Alerts
Fleetworthy and HAAS Alert expanded their partnership to deliver real-time digital alerts that warn motorists when commercial trucks are stopped roadside and notify truck drivers when approaching emergency responders.
Read More →
New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
Mack Introduces Mack Protect Collision Mitigation System for MD Series
Mack Trucks has expanded its proprietary Mack Protect collision mitigation platform to the Mack MD Series, bringing heavy-duty safety technology to medium-duty trucks operating in urban and regional environments.
Read More →
Smarter Maintenance Strategies to Keep Trucks Rolling
In today’s cost-conscious market, fleets are finding new ways to get more value from every truck on the road. See how smarter maintenance strategies can boost uptime, control costs and drive stronger long-term returns.
Read More →
Bison Transport, Mill Creek Motor Freight Win TCA Fleet Safety Awards Grand Prize
Two Canadian fleets earned the Grand Prize in the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2025 Fleet Safety Awards, recognizing the industry’s top safety performance based on accident frequency and safety programs.
Read More →
CVSA Issues New Inspection Guidance on ELD Tampering, False Logs
New guidance for commercial vehicle inspectors distinguishes between more traditional logbook violations and tampered ELD data that can result in mandatory 10-hour out-of-service orders.
Read More →
FMCSA Reinstates Field Warrior ELD to Registered Device List
One electronic logging device has been reinstated to the FMCSA's list of registered ELDs.
Read More →