PHILADELPHIA — Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and a civilian were killed in a car crash on I-95 early Monday morning in what law enforcement officials described as a possible DUI incident.
Around 12:45 a.m., troopers responded to calls about a man walking in a southbound traffic lane near Lincoln Financial Field. As police tried to bring the man into custody and out of harm’s way, a vehicle traveling at a high speed attempted to pass them in the shoulder lane, fatally striking both troopers and the civilian, according to state police.
Captain James B. Kemm, commanding officer for the state police in the Philadelphia region, said the force of the crash threw the troopers into the northbound lane. Police backup arrived to find witnesses performing CPR on the three victims, who were pronounced dead on the scene.
“Right now we are conducting an active investigation that is DUI-related,” Kemm said at a news conference.
Prosecutors have not yet decided on criminal charges, and the driver’s name was not released. District Attorney Larry Krasner said Monday he couldn’t release details, noting only that a “young driver is potentially facing extremely serious consequences.”
State police identified the fallen officers as Trooper Martin F. Mack, an eight-year veteran, and Trooper Branden T. Sisca, who joined the force last year.
Officials are withholding the name of the civilian until his family is notified, and declined to answer further questions on the investigation.
Interstate traffic remained shut down until later in the morning as police investigated the crash site, where a state police SUV appeared with both driver-side doors ripped off. The hatchback that struck the officers and civilian sat parked nearby on the right shoulder. Police said the driver remained on scene after the crash.
Shortly after 6 a.m., a V-line of Philadelphia police officers riding motorcycles was seen leading a procession to transport the bodies of the troopers away from the scene.
“Troopers Mack and Sisca made the ultimate sacrifice this morning while assisting a citizen in need,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “They braved traffic along the busy interstate to assist a citizen whose own life was in danger. There’s no greater act of selflessness.”
At least 22 Pennsylvania troopers have died in automobile crashes in the last century, according to state police. The last fatality was in 2017, when a state police SUV collided with a garbage truck in Westmoreland County, killing Trooper Michael P. Stewart III.
Sisca, 29, and Mack, 33, were assigned to Troop K, which patrols state highways in Philadelphia and Montgomery and Delaware counties.
Sisca, of Trappe in Montgomery County, graduated from the trooper academy in 2021 and also served as a volunteer fire chief with the Trappe Fire Company. He had married last fall and, according to an online baby registry, he and his wife were expecting their first child in July.
In a statement, the Trappe Fire Company referred to Sisca as an “incredible person.” Those who knew him there said his dedication to public service was contagious.
“He was young and energetic and really wanted to affect change,” said Chris Leder, 46, a former member of the fire company. “He put 150% into everything he did.”
Mack was a father of two, according to social media. He joined the the state police in 2014, after stints as a private investigator and teacher-counselor at the Glen Mills schools, according to a Linkedin profile. On social media, he rooted for the Eagles and his local high school’s lacrosse team.
Family members could not immediately be reached for comment.
Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore, who leads the DA’s homicide unit, said prosecutors consider a variety of factors when deciding whether to file charges in a vehicular case, including whether a person was under the influence, speeding, or engaging in other forms of dangerous driving.
Speaking at the news conference Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf said the crash marked a sad day for Pennsylvania.
“There are three families mourning the loss of loved ones,” Wolf said. “It’s a reminder for the state troopers of what a heroic thing they do for us each and every day. For all three it’s a reminder of how precious and fragile life really is.”
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(Inquirer staff writers Mensah M. Dean and Anna Orso contributed to this report.)
