Driver dies after striking deer on Pa. Turnpike in Montgomery County

LOWER MORELAND TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A man from Ambler was killed in a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike late Monday night.

State police identified the victim as 58-year-old Ronald Knopman. He was traveling east on the Pa. Turnpike between Bensalem and Willow Grove when his Ford Mustang collided with a deer crossing the major highway.

Knopman was pronounced dead at the scene.

AAA spokesperson Jana Tidwell said incidents like this are tragically frequent in Pennsylvania.

"The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety consistently ranks Pennsylvania as one of the top three states in the country for deer-related crashes and fatalities," Tidwell said.

Between 2014 and 2023, more than 1,900 people nationwide were killed in crashes involving animals. Pennsylvania recorded 122 of those fatalities, second only to Texas.

Tidwell noted that many of these crashes occur during deer mating season, which runs from October through the end of the year.

"Deer are much more active than they typically are, especially in the early morning hours between dawn and the early evening hours of dusk," she said.

This comes just a few weeks after a teen was killed in a freak accident involving a deer in Chester County.

Kevin Donohue died after another car struck a deer on Route 322, tossing the animal in the path of the vehicle the Malvern Preparatory School student was in.

Another driver was also hurt after striking a deer on NE Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lehigh County last month.

That crash happened on I-476 North in Lower Macungie Township.

Police say the deer smashed into the vehicle's front window, which was how the driver was injured. Two children were also in the vehicle at the time, but were okay.

The deer then flipped over the vehicle and hit the front of a tractor-trailer. Police say that driver is expected to be OK.

Animal-related crash statistics

AAA says roughly 2.1 million deer-related vehicle collisions happen every year in the U.S. Although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says most do not involve serious injuries, more than 1,900 people nationwide were killed in crashes involving animals between 2014-2023, including 122 in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania ranks as the second-highest state for fatal crashes involving animals, only behind Texas.

According to PennDOT data, in 2024, there were 6,426 deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 19 fatalities. Nine of those were in the Philadelphia region.

Tips to avoid animal collisions

October through December is deer mating season, which means deer are more active, especially during dawn and dusk hours.

AAA recommends drivers continuously sweep their eyes across the road for signs of animals. They say accidents like these are most likely caused by an animal darting in front of you or by running into the side of your car.

Drivers should also be cautious in the early mornings and evenings, as this is when animals -- especially deer -- are most active.

You could also utilize your high beam lights when there is no oncoming traffic. This may help you spot the animal sooner.

Another tip is to honk your horn with one long blast in an effort to try and scare any animals away from the roadway.

AAA says if you do see an animal in your path, stay in your lane. Swerving could confuse the animal so they don't know which way to run. It could also put you in the path of oncoming traffic or objects on the side of the road.

What to do if you do collide with an animal

• If possible, immediately move the vehicle to a safe location out of the roadway. Your safety and the safety of your passengers are most important.

• Once you are in a safe location and no longer driving, call the police.

• Put the vehicle's hazard lights on, whether it is light or dark outside.

• Avoid making contact with the deer/animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt you or further injure itself.

• Contact your insurance company as quickly as possible to report any damage to your car.

• Take photos of the damage if you can do so safely and without entering the roadway.