Wharton student dies after freak accident fall from Walnut Street bridge

The Walnut Street bridge, where a two-car crash threw a pedestrian over the edge Tuesday morning. Credit: Google Maps

The 27-year-old pedestrian who fell 38 feet over the edge of the Walnut Street bridge to the roadway below was pronounced dead late Tuesday night.

Zachary Woods, 27, had recently moved to Philadelphia from New York to attend Wharton business school, CBS reported.

Woods was thrown off the bridge after a two-car collision on the bridge sent one of the vehicles hurtling towards him.

The accident occurred about 10 a.m. Tuesday when a Mercury Montego driven by a 43-year-old man headed south on 30th Street at a high rate of speed was broadsided by a Toyota Camry driven by a 69-year-old man headed west on the Walnut Street bridge, according to police.

The Montego then struck a light pole and hit a male pedestrian on the sidewalk of the bridge, sending him flying off the bridge onto the highway below.

The victim was taken to the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania in critical condition and pronounced dead at 10 p.m., according to reports.

The driver of the Montego was reportedly also brought to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

Wharton posted the following message on Twitter just before 10 a.m. this morning.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our students, and pause to express our condolences to his family and friends.

— The Wharton School (@Wharton) May 7, 2014

A Wharton professor posted the following message:

We are deeply saddened at the passing of Zachary Woods (Wharton MBA/MA Lauder). Prayers 2 family http://t.co/guxAYuUHXb via @nbcphiladelphia

— Dr. Americus Reed II (@amreed2) May 7, 2014