Two Pennsylvania state troopers and a civilian were killed early Monday morning after they were struck by a driver on Interstate 95 in South Philadelphia.
Around 12:40 a.m., state police troopers responded to a call regarding a man who was walking southbound on the interstate in the left lane of traffic. As police were helping him into the back of their cruiser, a female driver attempted to drive pass the scene and went in between the barrier and the left lane, striking all three individuals, according to a press release posted on Governor Tom Wolf's website.
The impact was so great, the troopers were thrown into the northbound lanes of I-95. When backup troopers arrived, they found witnesses attempting CPR on the troopers, but they were pronounced dead at the scene. Police are not releasing the name of the other individual who died at this time. The troopers who died were identified as Martin F. Mack, 33, and Branden T. Sisca, 29.
"Right now we are conducting an active investigation that's DUI-related," said Pennsylvania State Police Captain James Kemm at the press conference.
Police did not release the name of the driver, but said she did remain at the scene.
Photos of the scene showed a patrol car with severe damage including deployed airbags, along with the driver's side door and the driver's rear door missing. A second vehicle, a silver SUV, was also severely damaged. The SUV had its airbags deployed, a hole in the front driver side door and severe damage to the front of the vehicle, according to images posted by WPVI-TV.
About five hours after the crash, a police procession with over a dozen motorcycles and cruisers escorted the bodies of the troopers from the scene to the medical examiner's office, according to WPVI.
Governor Wolf issued a statement on the incident and said: "Frances and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of these two state troopers and the individual they were assisting. This tragedy is a reminder that our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, and we Pennsylvanians are grateful for the men and women who protect us and our communities. Frances and I are praying for the loved ones of these courageous troopers, the civilian they were assisting and for the Pennsylvania State Police."
Traffic on I-95 was shut down on both sides for about eight hours while the investigation was underway. Vehicles were being diverted off the ramps causing major traffic delays. The highway has since been reopened, according to WPVI.
Trooper Mack had been on the force since November 2014 and Trooper Sisca had been on the force since February 2021. Both spent their entire careers assigned to the Patrol Section of Troop K in Philadelphia, the department said in a statement.
Update 3/21/22, 11:45 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
