FILE - This screen grab from video provided by WPVI-TV/6ABC shows the collapsed section of I-95 as crews continue to work on the scene in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP, File)
FILE - Traffic barely moves in a neighborhood near an elevated section of Interstate 95 that collapsed, in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - This screen grab from video provided by WPVI-TV/6ABC shows the collapsed section of I-95 as crews continue to work on the scene in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. (WPVI-TV/6ABC via AP, File)
FILE - Traffic barely moves in a neighborhood near an elevated section of Interstate 95 that collapsed, in Philadelphia, Monday, June 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The driver of a tractor-trailer that overturned, sparking a blaze underneath a major Philadelphia interstate that resulted in the collapse of an overpass, failed to slow down on the exit ramp, federal investigators said.
The ɫtv Transportation Safety Board issued its final report in the June 2023 crash at an Interstate 95 exit ramp and “found probable cause” that the driver, who was killed, exited the highway above the posted speed limit and possible fatigue played a role in the incident. There were no other deaths or injuries.
Another factor in the intense blaze that collapsed part of the highway was the driver's failure to secure a manhole cover on the truck, which was transporting about 8,500 gallons (32 kiloliters) of gasoline.
The NTSB's findings come after state officials had said earlier that the on the exit ramp. Federal officials had as an issue as well.
Interstate 95 after the collapse, a quicker-than-expected rebuild to get traffic flowing again on a heavily traveled stretch of the East Coast’s main north-south highway.
Among the “lessons learned” the NTSB cited in its report were the importance of mitigating commercial truck driver fatigue and the benefit of electronic stability control, a system designed to prevent rollovers. The truck did not have the system, investigators said, but it could have stopped the rollover even with the truck traveling over the posted speed limit.
The report is dated March 19 but the NTSB publicized it Thursday.
