Couple’s belongings destroyed after U-Haul flips, catches on fire

CHARLOTTE — A family’s possessions were charred and scattered across a Charlotte highway after a U-Haul flipped and caught fire.

The overturned U-Haul truck closed the ramp from Wilkinson Boulevard to Freedom Drive around 3 a.m. on Thursday.

A Channel 9 crew was at the scene where Charlotte firefighters managed to control the fire and empty the contents of the truck.

Geoff Kunselman, of Ohio, and his wife are moving to Columbia, South Carolina, to be near their two daughters and three grandchildren.

Furniture, including a baby grand piano, and 40 years of memories were destroyed in the wreck.

“We hadn’t even seen it until last night,” Kunselman said. “(We) walked through it, tried to figure out where to put various pieces of furniture.” But now, they must start all over.

“My mom made lots of quilts,” said Mona Kunselman, of Ohio. “I did find one small quilt someone had gifted me in the mud. I hope I can salvage it and I’m hoping (to salvage) some Christmas decorations my dad gave me.”

The Kunselmans are devastated and are relying on their faith while looking to the future.

The couple paid a driver because they didn’t want to drive a large truck.

The driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, MEDIC said.

The Kunselmans said they’ve been in touch with him and are thankful he will be OK.

This is a developing story, check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

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