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2 Pennsylvania state troopers, civilian killed in crash

The crash took place in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 at about 12:40 a.m., state police said.

  • By Maria Pulcinella/ WHYY

 Dan Gleiter / PennLive

Pennsylvania State Police

Troopers Martin Mack, 33, (left) and Branden Sisca, 29, were responding to a man walking along the highway at night when a driver fatally struck all three men.

(Philadelphia) — Two Pennsylvania state troopers and a civilian were killed in a crash on a highway in Philadelphia early Monday, state police said.

The crash took place in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 at about 12:40 a.m., state police said.

At a press conference Monday, state police said Troopers Martin Mack, 33, and Branden Sisca, 29, were responding to a man walking along the highway. While attempting to place the man into the back of their cruiser, officials said, a driver traveling at a high rate of speed struck all three men.

Capt. James Kemm said. said the force of the crash threw troopers into the northbound lanes of I-95. Officials said that witnesses attempted to perform CPR, but Mack and Sisca were pronounced dead on the scene.

“The impact was so great that it threw the troopers over into the northbound lanes of Interstate 95,” Kemm said. The vehicle ended up on the right-side shoulder of the highway and the driver remained at the scene. Other arriving troopers found witnesses trying to revive the victims, who were pronounced dead at the scene, Kemm said.

“Right now, we are conducting an active investigation that is DUI-related,” Kemm said. The pedestrian’s name is not being released pending notification of his relatives.

Officials have yet to identify the civilian killed, pending notification of next of kin.

Gov. Tom Wolf issued a statement saying he and his wife were saddened by the deaths.

“Frances and I are praying for the loved ones of these courageous troopers, the civilian they were assisting and for the Pennsylvania State Police,” the Democrat said.

State police said more information would be released later.

The section of highway was closed while investigators combed through the scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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