Three people killed
in crash on I-95

Three men died in a violent auto crash on Interstate 95 in Tacony on June 20. Investigators believe that speeding was a factor.
All three victims suffered multiple traumatic injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene, said Sgt. Albert Gramlich of the Philadelphia Police Department’s accident investigation division.
The victims included Phillip O’Connell Sr., 60, of the 3100 block of Clive Ave. in Bensalem, and his son, Phillip O’Connell Jr., 34, of the same address. Philadelphia police did not release the name of the third victim, a 47-year-old man, because his next of kin was not notified.
The crash occurred at about 7:43 p.m. in the highway’s northbound lanes at the Elbridge Street overpass near the Cottman Avenue exit. A 2003 Hyundai Tiburon occupied by the three victims was traveling in the far left lane at a high rate of speed when it made an "aggressive move to the right," Gramlich said, citing witness accounts.
The out-of-control car crossed four lanes and slammed into the guardrail on the far right. It then spun, struck a rail on a bridge abutment and flipped several times before coming to rest in the center lanes, Gramlich said. While rolling, the car struck a 2003 Toyota Corolla occupied by a woman.
During the crash, which spanned about 50 feet, two of the three men were ejected from the first vehicle. A 60-year-old landed on the highway, while his 34-year-old son landed on State Road below the raised interstate.
The driver of the second car, a 35-year-old woman, reported no injuries at the scene. Her name was not released.
Investigators believe that the Tiburon was traveling well in excess of 55 mph when the crash occurred. They are awaiting the results of blood tests on the victims to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors. They are not sure who was driving the car.
After the crash, police shut down I-95 in both directions for a time and the northbound lanes for a couple of hours to investigate. ••