Search Continues for Jerome Williams' Body After Fatal Niagara River Crash, Likely Went Over Falls

More than a month after a tragic boat crash on the Niagara River, police are still searching for the body of businessman Jerome Williams, whose vessel struck a concrete water intake abutment on July 23rd. Officials fear his body may have been carried over Niagara Falls. His fiancée, Natalie M. Sansivero, was also on board and her body was recovered two days later about a mile downstream from the crash site.

The accident happened around 9:30pm when Williams’ 35-foot, triple-engine boat collided with a concrete intake structure owned by the Niagara Falls Water Board. The abutment sits near the North Grand Island Bridge, a quarter mile offshore and about three and a half miles from the brink of the falls.

Investigators are still trying to piece together what caused the collision. They are examining how such an experienced boater could have missed the large structure, what speed the vessel was traveling, and whether mechanical issues with the boat’s throttle, engines, or steering played a role.

Authorities have questioned other boaters who were on the water that night, including Williams’ son, who was operating another boat nearby. Police emphasized that they have not yet reached conclusions about the crash, but they are considering several possibilities, including speed and operator error.

One detail investigators confirmed is that neither Williams nor Sansivero were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident. Safety experts recommend them, but they are not legally required.

Friends and colleagues of Williams described him as a cautious and knowledgeable boater who knew the river well, leaving many stunned by the crash. Some raised concerns about whether the abutment, which has a dim light, is adequately visible at night.

Officials with the Niagara Falls Water Board, however, pointed out that the structure has been in place since the mid-1990s without previous incidents. They emphasized that it is listed on navigation charts, well-lit by a beacon, and clearly visible above the river depending on water levels. State Parks Police confirmed that the beacon light was functioning on the night of the crash and said the structure has not been involved in other accidents in recent years.

The crash site lies near a restricted zone close to water intakes, though authorities clarified that the accident occurred just outside the restricted area. Police advised that the section of the river where the crash took place is heavily traveled, but boaters are urged to exercise extreme caution, especially at night when currents can be unpredictable.

Investigators are also reviewing data from black box recorders on the boat that may reveal speed and mechanical conditions leading up to the impact. Recovery teams have used sonar, drones, helicopters, and underwater cameras during the ongoing search. Officials noted that Williams’ body could be trapped underwater or may have been swept over the falls, making recovery efforts particularly difficult.

Search Continues for Jerome Williams' Body After Fatal Niagara River Crash, Likely Went Over Falls