Driver killed after jumping from out-of-control drilling truck on steep grade

Texas authorities confirmed that a driver lost his life after jumping from a drilling truck before it plunged into a canyon on Tuesday.

The crash occurred around 2:30 p.m. on August 20 about 20 miles south of Claude, Texas.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), Cesar Lopez-Delgadillo was operating a water well drilling truck weighing at least 80,000 pounds on a steep grade on northbound SH 207.

Officials say that Lopez-Delgadillo lost control of the truck and jumped out of the driver’s seat into the road.

After Lopez-Delgadillo exited the truck, it crashed through a guardrail and fell down into a canyon.

Lopez-Delgadillo died at the scene.

The incident is under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol.