Bail denied for woman in crash that killed 2 troopers, man

PHILADELPHIA — A judge has denied bail to a woman charged with third-degree murder in an early morning crash on a Philadelphia interstate that claimed the lives of two Pennsylvania troopers and a civilian.

Jayana Tanae Webb, 21, of Eagleville was ordered held pending an April 5 hearing on charges that also include second-degree manslaughter of a law enforcement officer and vehicular homicide while driving under the influence.

WCAU-TV reports that defense attorney Michael Walker argued during the Tuesday night hearing that his client was very young, a first-time offender and posed no danger to the public. The judge, however, agreed with the district attorney's office that the charges indicated “a public safety issue."

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Walker said after the hearing that his client was “devastated" and “extremely saddened."

Police said a man later identified as 28-year-old Reyes Rivera Oliveras of Allentown was reported walking in the southbound lanes of I-95 near the sports stadiums in south Philadelphia early Monday. Troopers Martin Mack III and Branden Sisca were trying to get him off the road when a vehicle “traveling at a high rate of speed” struck all three, police said. All were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mack enlisted in 2014 and Sisca did so last year; both were assigned to the division that covers Philadelphia and neighboring areas. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Mack leaves behind a wife and two children, while Sisca’s wife is expecting their firstborn in July. Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered state flags to fly at half-staff in their honor.