Police car on the street with yello line
Police car on the street behind yellow line

A 19-year-old college student from Burlington County has died after a violent rollover crash on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, a sudden tragedy that has left her family, school and wider community searching for answers as police continue to investigate what went wrong.

Siena Marie Brachelli was driving northbound on I-95 late on the morning of 31 January when she lost control of her vehicle near Academy Road, according to an initial police report. The crash occurred at around 11:30 a.m. and resulted in her death at the scene.

What Police Say Happened on I-95

According to a police report, authorities said Brachelli was behind the wheel of a white Acura MDX when the vehicle left the roadway. The car struck a metal guardrail on the shoulder of the highway before overturning into the median. The SUV eventually came to rest on its roof.

No other vehicles were immediately reported to have been involved. As of 1 February, Pennsylvania State Police said the circumstances that caused the driver to lose control were still under investigation.

Emergency Response at the Scene

Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash site shortly after the incident was reported. Despite their efforts, Brachelli was pronounced dead at the scene.

The section of I-95 where the crash occurred is a heavily travelled stretch of highway in northeast Philadelphia, and traffic in the area was affected as authorities worked to secure the scene and begin their investigation.

Who Was Siena Brachelli

19-year-old college student Siena Brachelli died after fatal crash
19-year-old college student Siena Brachelli died after fatal crash

Brachelli was originally from Chesterfield and had deep ties to her local community. She attended St. Raphael School before graduating from Notre Dame High School, where she was remembered as a committed student and friend.

She later enrolled at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where she was studying political science. According to information shared by the organisation Philly Crime Update, Brachelli was actively involved in campus life alongside her academic studies.

Campus Life and Work Commitments

In addition to her coursework, Brachelli was a member of the Delta Psi Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, a national sorority with a strong presence on university campuses. Friends and classmates described her as engaged and motivated, balancing her studies with work and service.

She was also employed as a service supervisor at Ordinarie Heroes, a role she held alongside her university commitments.

Community Reaction and Tributes

News of Brachelli's death prompted an outpouring of grief from schools and community groups connected to her life. In a social media post, officials from St. Raphael School expressed their sorrow and confirmed that a Rosary was prayed during Sunday Mass in her memory.

'There are no words that can fully express the sorrow we feel as a community,' the post read. 'In our grief, we turn to our faith and to one another. Our hearts remain heavy, yet we trust that Siena is held in God's loving embrace.'

Investigation Ongoing

Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate the fatal I-95 crash, with officials yet to release details about potential contributing factors such as speed, road conditions or mechanical issues. Authorities have said further updates will be provided once the investigation progresses.

For now, Brachelli's death stands as another stark reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on major roadways, as her family, friends and university community mourn the loss of a young woman whose future was cut short.

Originally published on IBTimes UK