A memorial for Arcadia University student Kelly O'Brien, killed in a Pennsylvania Turnpike crash Monday, will be held May 3, according to her former employer.
The ceremony will be at the Community House, Main Street, in Moorestown, Michael Babcock wrote in an email Thursday. Babcock said O'Brien had spent last summer working at Wing King on West Camden Avenue, Moorestown.
He also said The Kelly O'Brien Memorial Trust Fund has been set up to help the family.
O'Brien, 18, of Moorestown, died when a tractor-trailer fell onto her vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the Turnpike near Trevose Road around 2:50 p.m. Monday. She was driving in the left lane near mile-marker 350 when her 2006 Toyota and a big rig traveling in the center lane "made contact in a side swipe fashion," said Pennsylvania State Police.
The entangled vehicles went off-road, partially up an embankment, where the trailer tipped onto the smaller vehicle, trapping O'Brien in her car, said police. Crews used a crane to lift the big rig off her car. [[377042751, C]]
The big rig driver -- identified by state police as Matthew Bradley of Benton Harbor, Michigan -- was also injured in the crash and taken to Frankford Torresdale Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Officials also say the 2016 Peterbilt truck, which had markings for Baltimore, Maryland-based Cowan Systems on the trailer, was carrying 20,000 pounds of either liquid detergent or soap. [[377062361, C]]
@NBCPhiladelphia PA Turnpike just before exit 351. Car stuck under neath truck pic.twitter.com/3HJyM0kUIm
— Lincoln Riddle (@riddle_lincoln) April 25, 2016
Police closed all eastbound lanes of the Turnpike for hours as crews investigated. One lane reopened around 2 a.m. and all lanes reopened by 4 a.m., said Pennsylvania State Police.
O'Brien was a freshman at Arcadia and majored in Communications.
"Our condolences as well as our thoughts and prayers are with Kelly’s family, friends, and loved ones," wrote Arcadia University president Nicolette DeVille Christensen in a released statement. "We encourage any Arcadia community member who may want assistance or need to talk during this difficult time to visit Counseling Services on the ground floor of Heinz Hall or call the office at 215-572-2967. Walk-ins are available from 1 pm to 3 pm daily."
