2 PA State Troopers Killed In Crash On I-95

PHILADELPHIA — Two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and a civilian were killed in a crash on I-95 in South Philadelphia early Monday, according to authorities. The crash shut down a portion of I-95 for several hours.

According to state police, Troopers Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Branden T. Sisca, 29, were responding to a call for a person walking along Interstate 95 south, just before the Philadelphia sports complexes, early Monday morning.

Mack and Sisca located the man at about 12:45 a.m., and got out of their vehicle.

As they were putting the man in their vehicle, another car sped up to the scene and Mack, Sisca, and the other man, who has not been identified, were struck.

State Police said the striking vehicle was going so fast that Mack and Sisca were thrown over the barrier and onto Interstate 95 north. The striking vehicle came to rest further down the road, police said.

When backup arrived, troopers found witnesses giving CPR to the victims, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are investigating the crash as a DUI. The striking driver has not been identified, but remained at the scene of the crash.

Interstate 95 was closed between Broad Street and the Walt Whitman Bridge, but reopened shortly after 9 a.m., PennDOT said.

Gov. Tom Wolf released a statement on the incident, saying he was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss."

"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," Wolf said.

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick said Mack and Sisca made the ultimate sacrifice Monday while helping a man in need.

"These troopers personified our department's core values of honor, service, integrity, respect, trust, courage, and duty," he said at a news conference Monday.

Police in Philadelphia extended condolences to" our brothers and sisters of the PA State Police, as well the family of the civilian victim."

"May they rest in peace," police said.

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5th District) called Monday's incident a heartbreak start to the week in her district,

"I’m deeply saddened by the deaths of two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and a third person who were struck on I-95 early this morning," she said. "My thoughts are with their loved ones."

Mack enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in November 2014 and graduated as a member of the 141st cadet class. Sisca enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in February 2021 and graduated as a member of the 161st cadet class.

Both troopers spent their entire careers assigned to the Patrol Section of Troop K, Philadelphia.

"They both had bright careers ahead of them, and it saddens me to know how senselessly their lives were cut short," Evanchick said.

Sisca also served as the chief of the Trappe Fire Company No. 1 in Trappe Borough and is the son of Craig Sisca, a 10-year member of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Wolf has ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds to fly at half-staff to honor Mack and Sisca.

The flag will be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, as well as on the days of their funerals, which have not yet been announced.