One year after a tragic crash that destroyed a bridge along I-95 in Philadelphia, federal investigators have released a report shedding light on the incident. The report indicates that the crash was caused by a gasoline spill from an unsecured hatch on top of the gasoline delivery tanker involved.
According to the investigation, video evidence showed that the cover of a 16-inch manhole was left open when the driver arrived at a refilling station in Wilmington, Delaware. The hatch was not properly secured when the driver, Nathaniel Moody, set off to deliver the gasoline to a convenience store 42 miles away.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued an 'origin and cause' report in September, stating that the fire likely started when gasoline escaped from the open manhole as the tanker overturned, leading to the spillage of nearly 2,500 gallons of mixed gasoline and ethanol.
The crash occurred on June 11, 2023, when the tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline overturned on a left-hand turn on an off-ramp, causing a significant leak and subsequent fire. The resulting damage led to the closure of a section of I-95 near Cottman Avenue and State Road in Northeast Philadelphia.
Following the incident, a new bridge was constructed and opened to traffic in November, with normal highway operations resuming last month. Nathaniel Moody, the driver involved in the crash, was a safety-conscious owner-operator with a commercial driver’s license since 2003. His cause of death was determined to be due to blunt trauma of the head and inhalation and thermal injuries, with his death being ruled as accidental.
Despite the tragic outcome, Moody's cousin, Isaac Moody, who is also a truck driver, expressed concerns about the tendency to blame truckers in accidents without proper consideration of all factors. He highlighted the importance of ensuring accountability and adherence to safety regulations in the transportation industry.
