Woman Sentenced to Decades in Prison for DUI Crash that Killed Two State Troopers and a Pedestrian in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a tragic incident that shocked the nation, a 23-year-old woman from Eagleville, Jayana Webb, has been sentenced to 27 1/2 to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and causing a fatal crash on an interstate in Philadelphia last year. The crash resulted in the deaths of two state troopers and a pedestrian.

The guilty plea was entered on Wednesday in a Philadelphia courtroom. Webb pleaded guilty to three counts each of third-degree murder and homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, acknowledging her responsibility for the devastating crash that occurred in March 2022.

District Attorney Larry Krasner praised the sentencing as “a just resolution of one of the most shocking incidents of vehicular violence in recent memory.”

The crash took place on Interstate 95 near south Philadelphia’s sports stadiums. Troopers Martin Mack III and Branden Sisca were attempting to rescue a pedestrian, identified as 28-year-old Reyes Rivera Oliveras of Allentown, from the southbound lanes when they were struck by a vehicle traveling at a high speed. All three victims tragically lost their lives at the scene.

Defense attorney Michael Walker, in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, stated that Webb, who is currently seven months pregnant, will be allowed to remain out of custody until she gives birth in February. After the birth, she will have some time to bond with her child before reporting to prison.

During the court proceedings, Webb expressed deep sorrow and extended her apologies to the families of the victims. Walker emphasized that his client recognizes the gravity of her actions and will never be able to forgive herself. He added, “She suffers greatly because of what she did and recognizes that she is punished and has ruined a large portion of her life.”

Previous court hearings focused on Webb’s blood alcohol content and her activity on social media. Authorities discovered a post on her social media account from the morning of the incident, where she mentioned being stopped for speeding at 110 mph in a 50 mph zone. The troopers who had initially stopped her were redirected to assist Oliveras, who was attempting to cross the highway. As they attempted to remove him from the road, Webb, driving at high speed, collided with all three individuals.

Prosecutors revealed that Webb’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit and that active components of marijuana were also detected in her system.

Trooper Martin Mack, 33, had enlisted in November 2014 and had been assigned to the Philadelphia barracks since 2015. Trooper Branden Sisca, 29, had enlisted in February of the previous year and had recently graduated in August. Colonel Robert Evanchick, the state police commissioner, expressed deep sadness over the loss of these promising officers, stating that they “had bright careers ahead of them” before their lives were tragically cut short.