PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 21-year-old from Montgomery County was charged Tuesday with striking and killing two Pennsylvania State Police troopers and another man on I-95 early Monday morning. State Police also said Reyes Oliveras, 28 from Allentown, was the third man struck and killed.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said Jayana Webb, of West Norriton, faces charges including:
— Three counts of third-degree murder.
— Three counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
— Three counts of homicide by vehicle.
— Two counts of second-degree manslaughter of a law enforcement officer.
— Three counts of involuntary manslaughter.
— Three counts of recklessly endangering another person.
— Driving under the influence.
— Traffic violations include failing to drive at a safe speed, careless driving, and reckless driving.
Sources close to the investigation said state troopers Branden Sisca and Martin Mack had pulled Webb over on I-95 North near Allegheny Avenue for dangerous driving. It was not initially clear why they pulled her over.
It was also not clear how much interaction there was before they got another call of a man in the left lane on I-95 South near the sports complex in South Philadelphia.
They gave Webb a warning and got off 1-95 North, then back on I-95 South. Apparently, Webb also did the same, though it was not initially clear why.
State police say that around 1 a.m. as Troopers Mack and Sisca were helping Oliveras into his car, Webb came onto the left shoulder between the barrier and the left lanes of traffic at a high rate of speed and hit all three men, killing them.
Her attorney told the judge she is not a threat to the public and should be released on house arrest, but Webb was denied bail. She quietly cried as she was ordered to remain behind bars.
According to the District Attorney's Office, Webb told officers on the scene that she had been drinking strawberry Hennessy before the crash. A witness also said the smell of alcohol was apparent during conversations after the accident.
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Mack is a 2006 graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School. He had been with Troop K since November 2014, and Sisca since February of last year.
Sisca, a graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School, was also the chief of the Trappe Fire Company, a volunteer fire department in Montgomery County. He was promoted to chief in January. Sisca's father is Deputy Craig Sisca, a 10-year veteran of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
“The deaths of Troopers Mack and Sisca, along with Mr. Oliveras, a civilian they were attempting to help to safety on I-95, are tragedies. I again extend my deepest condolences to the colleagues and loved ones of Troopers Mack and Sisca, as well as Mr. Oliveras," said District Attorney Larry Krasner in a statement.
"I want to thank our partners with the Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia Police for their professionalism and work on this complex investigation. My office will now seek to ensure this defendant is held accountable for her alleged actions that resulted in this senseless loss of life.”
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Numerous groups have begun scams involving fake fundraising efforts for the state troopers, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association said Tuesday.
The PSTA said the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation gives financial help to families when a trooper is killed in the line of duty.
"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.”