PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Sources confirmed to KYW Newsradio that the driver who died in the crash on Sunday that caused a section of I-95 to collapse was Nathaniel Moody, 53. Broadcast partner NBC10 spoke to members of his family.
Nathaniel was a good husband and father to his wife and three children, his cousin Alex Moody told NBC10. He said Nathaniel got along with everybody.
“A very mild mannered, calm guy, really calm person,” Alex said.
Alex’s brother Isaac told NBC10 his cousin was always looking out to take care of his loved ones.
“I want them to know that Nate was a family man. Nate was one hell of a cousin.”
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Investigators believe Nathaniel’s truck crashed around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, while he was driving around a turn at the end of the Cottman Avenue exit off I-95. An intense fire ignited, causing the northbound lanes above to collapse and structurally compromising the southbound lanes. Officials estimate repairs will take several months to complete.
Isaac said when he first heard about the crash, he was hoping Nathaniel had bailed out and would be found alive.
He also said Nathaniel was an experienced truck driver, big on safety, and he drove that route often, delivering gasoline.
“The biggest thrill I got from Nate is how happy he was now, because he was now his own boss. He was in control of his own destiny.”
Isaac said he spoke to his cousin all the time.
“We had this handshake that my dad always did and that we'd pass around. So Nate and I did that handshake then we gave each other a hug, and I was like: ‘Alright, cuz. I'll see you, man. I'll see you …’ He was supposed to call me Saturday. He was supposed to call me Sunday.”
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