Two men were killed in separate weather-related crashes in Lower Bucks County over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, when snow and ice from successive winter storms made driving conditions dangerous on major roadways.
David Pawlowski, 31, of Levittown, died Sunday evening in Middletown Township after his SUV crossed into oncoming traffic on Veterans Highway. A few hours later, Matthew Ronca, 34, of Lancaster, was killed early Monday when his tanker truck overturned on a highway ramp in Trevose.
Middletown Township police were dispatched at approximately 6:05 p.m. Sunday to Veterans Highway near the Hong Luck restaurant for a report of a crash with entrapment. Investigators said a white Genesis GV80 was traveling southbound on Veterans Highway while a brown Range Rover was traveling northbound. The Genesis lost control, crossed into the northbound lane, struck the Range Rover, and rolled onto its roof. Pawlowski, the driver of the Genesis, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and passenger of the Range Rover remained at the scene and cooperated with police. Both occupants survived. Police said the crash occurred during heavy snowfall, and officers reported slippery road conditions in the area at the time of the collision.
The second fatal crash occurred just before 1 a.m. Monday on the off-ramp from eastbound Interstate 276 to Route 1 in Trevose. Authorities said Ronca lost control of the tanker truck while navigating the ramp. The vehicle overturned, slid down an embankment, and came to rest on its side. Ronca was trapped inside the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Bucks County Coroner’s Office.
Bensalem police said Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the tanker truck crash. The Route 1 and Interstate 276 interchange was partially closed for several hours while emergency responders worked at the scene and heavy tow trucks removed the overturned vehicle, causing overnight traffic disruptions in the area.
The fatal crashes occurred as Lower Bucks County experienced back-to-back snow events over the three-day holiday weekend. Snowfall totals included approximately 1.8 inches in Levittown and 2.7 inches in Lower Makefield Township from Saturday’s storm, followed by about 4 inches in Levittown and 3.5 inches in Tullytown Borough from Sunday’s storm. Slushy road conditions during the day refroze overnight, creating icy patches, particularly on bridges, ramps, and curves.
Police in Middletown Township are continuing to investigate the Veterans Highway crash and are asking anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Officer Matt Balint at 215-750-3845 ext. 4114.
Storm-related crashes have occurred in the area during previous winter weather events as well. In January 2025, Middletown Township police responded at approximately 6:30 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash on Brownsville Road at South Buckthorne Avenue during an active snowstorm. The driver was transported to a hospital, where the individual was later pronounced dead, and the department’s Traffic Safety Unit conducted the investigation.
Local agencies and transportation officials continue to stress specific steps meant to reduce risk during winter weather. In a winter driving safety release, PennDOT and its partners urged drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and use extra caution on bridges and ramps where ice can form faster than on adjoining pavement; the release also advised avoiding sudden stops and starts and avoiding cruise control on snow-covered roads.
