Crime & Safety
DUI Investigation Underway In PA State Trooper Deaths: Latest Updates
"May their memory be eternal." As a region mourns the passing of two state troopers and a civilian, an investigation is underway.
PHILADELPHIA — A DUI investigation is underway in Philadelphia following the deaths of two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and a pedestrian early Monday morning in Philadelphia.
Authorities are looking into whether the woman who struck and killed troopers Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Branden T. Sisca, 29, and an unidentified pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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Tributes to the pair poured in from around the region. Gov. Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag to fly at half staff on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds. Mack, a resident of Bristol in Bucks County, left behind a wife and two children. Sisca, who served as the chief of the Trappe Fire Company No. 1 in Trappe Borough, is the son of Craig Sisca, a 10-year member of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He's survived by his wife, who is expecting a child.
Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Robert Evanchick said that the entire department was "heartbroken."
“We ask our fellow Pennsylvanians to keep the families of our troopers and the pedestrian in their thoughts," he added. "This is an extremely difficult time."
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan added "keep (their) friends and family close to your hearts."
"Each of them leave behind families and loved ones, communities and colleagues," State Rep. Steve Malagari wrote. "They both had their full careers ahead of them. May their memory be eternal."
Those who had worked with Sisca and Mack described dedicated public servants. State Rep. Joe Ciresi called Sisca a "pillar of the community." Royersford Mayor Jenna said it was a reminder that "our first responders and their families deserve our appreciation every day. And on days like these, we hope they know an entire community's embrace and support is with them."
"Branden always had a smile on his face and had a positive attitude about everything and everyone he met," the Township of Spring Fire Rescue Services shared. "He was a great person to to be around. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knows him. Our thoughts are prayers are with Branden’s family during this difficult time."
The crash occurred at about 12:45 a.m. Monday on Interstate 95 south, just before the Philadelphia sports complexes.
Mack and Sisca were called to the area for a report of a person on the highway and found the man when they arrived.
When they were trying to get the man into their vehicle, another vehicle sped up to the scene and struck the three, sending Mack and Sisca over the median and onto the northbound lanes of I-95.
When backup arrived, troopers found witnesses giving CPR to the victims, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The striking driver has not been identified, but remained at the scene of the crash.
It's unclear if charges have been filed against the driver as of Tuesday morning.
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.
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.
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