WHEELING, W.Va. — The state Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled a July 5 drowning in a back channel of the Ohio River in Wheeling as accidental.
Jerry Dowd, Jr., died after he fell out of a boat near the Aetnaville Bridge. When his friends turned the boat around they couldn’t find him.
Recovery efforts took about 18 hours before the body was located.
Wheeling police have been investigating the death. They now say no charges will be filed.