Philadelphia

1 Dies as Truck Carrying Watermelons Overturns & Load Strikes Another Vehicle

The commercial truck was traveling northbound on I-95 around 3 p.m. Saturday when it overturned at the Exit 19 ramp near Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia.

One person died after a big rig carrying watermelons overturned, causing part of its load to strike another vehicle on I-95 in Philadelphia near the Walt Whitman Bridge.

The Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling on the ramp from northbound I-95 to the Walt Whitman Bridge around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when it overturned, spilling the watermelons it was carrying onto the lanes of I-95 southbound below.

The debris covered three of the four lanes and struck a 2016 Honda HR-V traveling on I-95 southbound. It caused the vehicle to lose control and leave the roadway before coming to a final rest on a grassy area against the guide rail.

The driver and passenger, identified as Thanh Tam Nguyen, 61, of Glenolden, Pennsylvania, were trapped inside the Honda and had to be cut free by the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Nguyen and the driver were taken to Jefferson Hospital. Nguyen was later pronounced dead. Officials have not yet released the driver's condition.

Two lanes on I-95 as well as the Exit 19 ramp near Oregon Avenue and South Philadelphia were closed as police investigated the wreck.

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