Holly MatkinPhiladelphia, PA – Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Trooper Martin Mack and Trooper Branden Sisca died in the line of duty Monday morning when they were hit by a speeding motorist while trying to get a pedestrian off of the interstate.
The incident began on Interstate 95 southbound at approximately 12:30 a.m. on March 21, when the Trooper Mack, 33, and Trooper Sisca, 29, stopped a female driver on suspicion of DUI, WCAU reported.
During the traffic stop, the troopers were notified that a man was walking on the roadway and they were forced to leave the stop in order to locate the pedestrian, law enforcement sources said.
The troopers located the pedestrian and were trying to get him into their patrol vehicle when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed slammed into all three of them, according to police.
The force of the impact threw the troopers and the pedestrian into the northbound lanes of the interstate.
The driver then crashed into a barrier.
Sources said the driver of the speeding vehicle was the same woman the troopers had been investigating for the suspected DUI, WCAU reported.
She remained at the scene.
Witnesses rushed to the injured troopers and attempted CPR, but all three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) Traffic Division Officer Mike Staten told reporters.
The identity of the pedestrian has not been released, pending notification of his next-of-kin, WCAU reported.
All lanes of traffic on Interstate 95 were shut down for approximately eight hours after the crash.
The investigation into the fatal collision remains ongoing.
Trooper Martin joined the PSP in November of 2014.
Trooper Sisca recently graduated from the law enforcement academy after enlisting with the agency in February of 2021.
Both troopers were assigned to the PSP’s Troop K Patrol Section.
“Our department is heartbroken with the tragedy that occurred early this morning in Philadelphia,” PSP Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick said in a press release late Monday morning. “We ask our fellow Pennsylvanians to keep the families of our troopers and the pedestrian in their thoughts. This is an extremely difficult time.”
A procession of at least 25 law enforcement vehicles escorted the trooper’s body from the crash scene to the medical examiner’s office shortly before 6 a.m., WPVI reported.
“Frances and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of these two state troopers and the individual they were assisting,” Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said in a statement after the horrific crash. “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,” Wolf wrote, according to WPVI.
The governor has ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen troopers.
With great sadness, PSP Commissioner Robert Evanchick confirmed today that Trooper Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Trooper Branden T. Sisca, 29, were struck and killed by a driver earlier this morning on I-95 south near milepost 18, Philadelphia. Release ➡️ https://t.co/Dufx68NqsW pic.twitter.com/xKeIcakBvg
— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) March 21, 2022
A police motorcycle procession led the way for fallen @PAStatePolice troopers Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Branden T. Sisca, 29, who struck and killed by a suspected impaired driver earlier this morning on I-95 S. in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/lkUz0gA2of
— Madeleine Wright (@MWrightReports) March 21, 2022
Two PA State troopers and a civilian were fatally struck on I-95 in South Philadelphia early this morning.
Damaged vehicles just were towed to Troop K. pic.twitter.com/0zn5nzXdzv— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) March 21, 2022
HAPPENING NOW: a procession leaving Philly Police headquarters for the two state troopers hit and killed this morning in the I-95 crash.
A Gift of Life van follows them, which is an organ donor organization. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/HoC3Xp1njV— Karen Hua (@K_Hua) March 21, 2022
The final salute to state troopers Branden Sisca and Martin Mack.
Officials say they were helping a man who was walking on the highway, when a car hit and killed all 3 of them. Officials are now doing a DUI investigation.@NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/rwpkomZKSj
— Karen Hua (@K_Hua) March 21, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Martin Mack and Trooper Branden Sisca, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, heroes. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
