PHILADELPHIA, PA (THECOUNT) — Siena Marie Brachelli, 19, of Chesterfield, New Jersey, has been identified as the young woman who died Saturday after losing control of her vehicle while traveling on Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 11:36 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, on I-95 northbound near Exit 32 at Academy Road in Philadelphia County. Troopers said Brachelli was driving a white Acura MDX in the left lane of travel when she lost control of the SUV for reasons that remain under investigation.
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Police reported that the vehicle traveled into the left shoulder, struck a guardrail, and then overturned into the median of the interstate. Brachelli was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that her next of kin were notified.
Pennsylvania State Police responded to the crash along with the Philadelphia Fire Department and emergency medical services personnel. The interstate remained an active investigation scene as troopers documented evidence, measured vehicle positions, and worked to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.
The section of Interstate 95 near Academy Road is part of a heavily traveled corridor through Northeast Philadelphia that carries high volumes of commuter and commercial traffic through Philadelphia County on a daily basis. The area includes entrance and exit ramps, merging lanes, and sustained highway speeds typical of interstate travel.
State police investigators routinely conduct detailed crash reconstructions in fatal incidents, using roadway evidence, vehicle damage analysis, measurements from the scene, and any available video or witness accounts. Officials have not released additional information regarding roadway conditions, traffic flow, or environmental factors at the time of the crash.
Authorities have not indicated whether any other vehicles were involved. The investigation remains ongoing as troopers continue to gather and analyze evidence to determine what caused the loss of control.
Brachelli was a Political Science student at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She was also a member of the Delta Psi Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma and worked as a service supervisor at the business Ordinarie Heros, according to information shared publicly on her social media.
She was a 2024 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Brachelli is survived by her parents and her brothers.
Interstate 95 is one of the primary transportation arteries running through Philadelphia and the surrounding region, frequently used by residents, commuters, and travelers passing through Pennsylvania. Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of attentive driving and caution on high-speed highways where sudden loss of control can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the crash and have not released further details as of Saturday. Officials ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact authorities.
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