What to Know
- Two Pennsylvania state police troopers and another man were killed early Monday on I-95
- The troopers were trying to get the man, who was walking on I-95, into their car when a driver tried to get around the scene and struck all three
- I-95 is closed in both directions
Two Pennsylvania state police troopers and another person were killed early Monday when they were struck and killed by a driver on Interstate 95 in South Philadelphia.
The officers were trying to get a man who was walking on the highway into their patrol SUV when they were all struck by the driver, state police said.
I-95 is shut down in both directions between Broad Street and the Walt Whitman Bridge.
A solemn procession brought the bodies of two killed state troopers through Center City. NBC10’s Miguel Martinez-Valle reports.
The crash happened at about 12:40 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-95 near Lincoln Financial Field, state police said.
As the police were out of their cars, responding to the walking man, a woman who drove up to the scene tried to use the shoulder of the highway to get around it, said Philadelphia Police traffic division officer Mike Staten.
The driver hit all three people, throwing them into the northbound lanes of I-95, Staten said.
It’s not known why the man was walking on I-95.
The driver stayed on the scene. The investigation is continuing.
Debris from the crash is still extensive on I-95, reported NBC10’s Randy Gyllenhaal. The crash, investigation and closure has caused a lengthy traffic delay on the interstate in both directions; drivers should use Broad Street, I-76 or the Vine Street extension as alternate routes.
Governor Tom Wolf issued a statement on the death of the officers Monday, saying that he and his wife, Frances, are praying for all of the Pennsylvania State Police.
“Frances and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of these two state troopers and the individual they were assisting,” the statement read.
“This tragedy is a reminder that our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, and we Pennsylvanians are grateful for the men and women who protect us and our communities.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.