Feds Blame Speed, Inattention for Fiery Gas Tanker Crash That Collapsed I-95 in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on the gas tanker crash that caused a catastrophic collapse of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia in 2023, concluding that excessive speed and driver inattention were to blame.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:17 a.m. on June 11, 2023, when 53-year-old tanker truck driver Nathaniel Moody was hauling 8,500 gallons of gasoline northbound on I-95. While exiting the interstate, Moody lost control of the vehicle while traveling between 44 and 54 mph — far above the posted advisory speed limit for the ramp.
The truck struck a wall and overturned, triggering a massive fire that led to the structural failure and partial collapse of the I-95 overpass. Moody died in the crash, and the tanker truck was later found buried in the debris under the collapsed bridge.
According to the NTSB report, the probable cause of the crash was Moody’s failure to slow down on the exit ramp, likely due to inattention — potentially related to fatigue. The report also noted that the severity of the fire was worsened by Moody’s failure to secure the vehicle’s manhole cover during his pre-trip inspection, which allowed gasoline to leak and rapidly spread at the crash site.
The I-95 collapse caused major traffic disruptions in the region and prompted emergency repairs that drew national attention.