Photo by Shelley Hanson Heavy-duty tow trucks can be seen at the scene of a fatal vehicle accident off Patterson Hill Road in Pultney Township on Wednesday morning. A truck towing a trailer lost its brakes coming off Patterson Hill Road, crossed Ohio 149 and plummeted off the hillside below.

Two separate vehicle accidents along Ohio 149 in Pultney Township on Wednesday morning resulted in one driver being killed and another being injured.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Josh O’Donnell said the first vehicle, which appeared to be a vacuum truck, was coming off Patterson Hill Road and while attempting to turn onto Ohio 149 lost control of his vehicle and ran off the road into a ditch.

The driver was injured and transported to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.

“Five to 10 minutes later, a second truck comes down over the hill with a trailer in tow. We’re suspecting possible brake failure,” he said.

The second truck, a 1997 Kenworth W900, plunged hundreds of yards over an embankment. It overturned and caught on fire. The driver of that truck, Joseph Ferrell, 38, of Minerva, Ohio, could not escape the vehicle and died from his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both vehicles belonged to the same company.

In addition to the OSP, also responding were the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation and firefighters from Neffs, Bellaire and OR&W. The Belmont County EMA also responded along with towing from Bill’s and Braden’s.