I-95 Philadelphia Road Collapse: New Video Footage and Federal Investigation Findings Revealed

The I-95 Philadelphia Road Collapse: A Year Later

One year after the tragic incident of the I-95 road collapse in Philadelphia, new details have emerged from federal investigators shedding light on the events leading up to the deadly crash.

Unsecured Hatch and Gasoline Spill

The report, made public by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, revealed that the cause of the collapse was due to a gasoline spill from an unsecured hatch on top of the gasoline delivery tanker. Video evidence showed that the cover of a 16-inch manhole had been open when driver Nathaniel Moody, 53, arrived at a Wilmington, Delaware, station to refill the tank. It had not been properly secured when he drove away to deliver it to a convenience store 42 miles away. The spill resulted in nearly 2,500 gallons of mixed gasoline and ethanol igniting, leading to the collapse.

ATF Report Findings

An "origin and cause" report by the ATF stated that the "combined opinion" of its investigators is "that the fire most likely originated when gasoline escaped" from the open manhole as the trailer overturned. This report, issued in September and made public a year later, provides crucial insights into the cause of the tragic collapse.

Family's Response

"It’s so easy for them to throw the blame on the trucker in almost every accident that happens," Moody's cousin, Isaac Moody, who is also a truck driver, told the AP. "As soon as a trucker cannot defend themselves, they find all kinds of stuff."

The Fatal Crash

The crash occurred on June 11, 2023, when a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline overturned while on a left-hand turn on an off-ramp, causing a massive gasoline leak and subsequent fire, resulting in the collapse of a section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

Aftermath and Closure

Following the incident, a portion of I-95 was closed, causing significant disruption. However, a permanent bridge opened to traffic in November, and the highway returned to normal operations last month, marking the end of a chapter in the city's history.

Nathaniel Moody's Legacy

Nathaniel Moody, the driver of the fuel tanker, tragically lost his life in the incident. The 53-year-old, who had been an owner-operator with a commercial driver’s license since 2003, was known as a safety-conscious driver by his cousin, Isaac Moody. His cause of death was determined to be "blunt trauma of head and Inhalation and thermal injuries," and his manner of death was ruled an accident, according to Fox 29 Philly.

Conclusion

As the city of Philadelphia reflects on the events of the past year, the newly released details provide a clearer understanding of the causes behind the I-95 road collapse, highlighting the importance of safety and adherence to regulations in the transport of hazardous materials.

Fox News' Stephen Sorace, Louis Casiano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.