Philadelphia, PA — January 31, 2026, Sienna Brachelli was killed in a car accident at about 11:30 a.m. on Interstate 95/Delaware Expressway.

Authorities said an Acura MDX was heading north near Exit 32 when it lost control and crashed into a guardrail before overturning in the median.

Driver Sienna Marie Brachelli, 19, of Chesterfield, NJ, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Philadelphia County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a serious crash happens, the first explanations often come together quickly. A short timeline is offered, a basic cause is suggested, and the matter can seem settled before deeper review even begins. That’s often when the most important questions still haven’t been asked.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? In a single-vehicle crash, careful investigation matters even more. It’s important to know whether investigators went beyond a surface review and took time to study how the vehicle moved before control was lost. That includes looking at steering input, braking patterns and the driver’s actions in the moments leading up to the crash. Some officers are trained to handle complex crash reconstruction, while others may not have that background. If the review ended too quickly, key details about how and why this happened may still be unclear.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When no other vehicles are involved, mechanical failure has to be part of the conversation. Problems with brakes, steering, suspension or electronic systems don’t always leave clear signs at the scene. Modern vehicles can behave unpredictably when a component fails. Without a full inspection of the vehicle, it’s hard to confidently say whether something inside the car contributed to the loss of control.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Today’s vehicles store valuable information about speed, braking, throttle use and warning alerts. That data can help confirm whether the driver tried to slow down or correct the vehicle. Phone data, navigation records and nearby camera footage can also help fill in gaps. If this information isn’t secured early, it may be overwritten or lost.

Crashes like this deserve more than quick conclusions. Taking the time to ask deeper questions helps ensure that responsibility is based on facts, not assumptions, and that nothing important is overlooked simply because the answers seemed obvious at first.

Key takeaways:

• Single-vehicle crashes still require detailed investigation.
• Mechanical issues aren’t always visible without inspection.
• Electronic data can explain what human memory cannot.