Pennsylvania Driver Charged With Murder, DUI in Death of Two State Troopers

Pennsylvania Driver Charged With Murder, DUI in Death of Two State Troopers
Pennsylvania State Police Troopers lower the State Flag to half-staff in honor of Trooper Martin F. Mack III, 33, and Trooper Branden T. Sisca, 29, in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 21, 2022. (Courtesy of Common Wealth Media Service)
Beth Brelje
3/22/2022
Updated:
3/22/2022

Pennsylvania State Police have identified the woman involved in a crash that killed two state troopers and a pedestrian on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, just before 1 a.m. on Monday, March 21.

Jayana Tanae Webb has been charged with the following: three counts each of murder of the third degree; homicide by vehicle while DUI; homicide by vehicle; involuntary manslaughter; and two counts of manslaughter of a law enforcement officer in the second degree; recklessly endangering another person; driving under the influence and summary traffic violations including failing to drive at a safe speed, careless driving, and reckless driving, state police said in a press release.

Webb, 21, is from Eagleville.

The pedestrian has been identified as Reyes Rivera Oliveras, 28, of Allentown.

Just before 1 a.m., several people driving on Interstate 95 called 911 and reported seeing Oliveras walking in the southbound lanes of I-95, directly in the traveling lanes.

Troopers Martin Mack III and Branden Sisca, of Troop K, Philadelphia, found him. While they were in the process of helping him into the back of their patrol car, they were struck by Webb’s vehicle as she tried to pass the scene, police said. It happened in the area of milepost 18 in Philadelphia City. After the crash, Webb remained at the scene and was arrested.

Mack was 33, Sisca was 29.

Pennsylvania State Trooper Martin F. Mack III (Courtesy Pennsylvania State Police)
Pennsylvania State Trooper Martin F. Mack III (Courtesy Pennsylvania State Police)

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

Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden T. Sisca (Courtesy Pennsylvania State Police)
Pennsylvania State Trooper Branden T. Sisca (Courtesy Pennsylvania State Police)

Governor Tom Wolf ordered the Pennsylvania Commonwealth flag on all state facilities, public buildings, and grounds to fly at half-staff to honor Mack and Sisca. The commonwealth flag will remain at half-staff until sunset on Friday, March 25, as well as during their funerals. The U.S. flag is to remain at full-staff through this tribute, Wolf’s office directed.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred while these troopers were protecting and serving,” Wolf said in a statement. “This mournful incident is a stark reminder of the risks—and sacrifices—our law enforcement officers undertake every day to keep us safe. My heart goes out to their families and the communities they lived in and served.”

On Tuesday the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) cautioned that organizations may be out there pretending to raise money to benefit the families of the troopers.

“It’s disgusting to even have to issue this statement, but our members and others are reporting to us that they’re receiving phone calls from people alleging to represent law enforcement organizations that are raising money to benefit the families of our fallen brothers,” said PSTA President David Kennedy in a statement. “The public should not make donations or provide personal information to these callers. The PSTA is the only official organization that represents and serves Pennsylvania state troopers, and we do not use telephone solicitation for fundraising.”

In 2007, the PSTA formed the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation to help troopers and their families in their time of need. This foundation provides funding for families when a trooper is killed in the line of duty, among other services.
Beth Brelje is an award-winning Epoch Times reporter who covers U.S. politics, state news, and national issues. Ms. Brelje previously worked in radio for 20 years and after moving to print, worked at Pocono Record and Reading Eagle. Send her your story ideas: [email protected]
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