The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said it has refiled third-degree murder charges against a young driver accused of fatally striking two Pennsylvania State Troopers and a pedestrian on I-95 in March. A judge will hear the refile motion at a future date.
22-year-old Jayana Webb appeared before a judge Wednesday for a preliminary hearing in the March 21 crash.
The third-degree murder charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, according to the judge. Webb is still facing charges of homicide with a vehicle with DUI, involuntary manslaughter and other related offenses.
“I think at the end of the day the judge made the right decision based on the law. This shouldn’t have ever been charged as a murder case,” said Webb’s attorney, Michael Walker.
Shortly after the hearing, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office refiled third-degree murder charges in the case.
Authorities said Webb was driving on I-95 southbound in the area of milepost 18 near the Stadium Complex just north of Broad Street when she hit and killed 33-year-old Martin F. Mack III and 29-year-old Branden T. Sisca.
The troopers were helping a pedestrian, identified as 28-year-old Reyes Rivera Oliveras, get into the back of their cruiser when the crash happened. Oliveras also died in the crash.
Nine witnesses testified during Wednesday’s preliminary hearing.
Before the fatal crash, Webb was reportedly driving about 110 mph and was pulled over by the two troopers. It was revealed in court that the troopers left Webb when they got a call for a pedestrian on the highway. Then 15 minutes later, authorities said Webb crashed into the troopers and the pedestrian.
Webb told troopers she looked down at her phone to see which exit she was taking when she heard a “boom.”
Her blood alcohol concentration was .211% and Webb was seen on surveillance video swerving.
The preliminary hearing ended with much disappointment amongst the family and colleagues of fallen Pennsylvania State Police Troopers Mack and Sisca.
Webb’s attorney said he could understand why they might be upset.
“They want a court proceeding to represent them very well and represent the lives of the people that perished, and I’m not sure that’s what they feel they got,” said Walker.
Webb’s bail was set at $600,000. She had been held without bail since her arrest.
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