Madison Pantoliano; Deputies: Wrong-way driver dies in Loxahatchee head-on crash

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. —  On Sunday morning, a devastating head-on collision in Loxahatchee resulted in one death and another person hospitalized with serious injuries. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBCSO) reported that the crash occurred around 7:18 a.m. near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

According to the official crash report, the incident began when a 2002 Chevrolet, driven by 29-year-old Madison Pantoliano, was traveling north in the southbound lanes of the roadway. At the same time, a 2019 Kia was headed southbound in the proper lane. The vehicles were directly in each other’s path and, unable to avoid impact, collided head-on. Deputies said the front of the Chevrolet struck the front of the Kia with significant force.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene quickly, and both drivers were rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center for urgent treatment. Despite efforts from medical staff, Pantoliano did not survive her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The driver of the Kia, whose identity has not been released, remained hospitalized with serious but unspecified injuries.

Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office noted that impairment may have contributed to the crash. Deputies stated that alcohol and/or drugs were a factor for Pantoliano while she was behind the wheel. No immediate information was provided regarding toxicology results, but the crash remains under investigation as officials work to confirm details.

The wreck highlights the deadly risks associated with wrong-way driving, a problem that often results in severe or fatal outcomes due to the direct impact of head-on collisions. In this case, both drivers suffered critical injuries, with one life ultimately lost. Authorities emphasized that impairment—whether from alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both—can play a major role in wrong-way incidents.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released further details about the condition of the Kia’s driver, nor have they specified whether any charges may follow pending the investigation. At this time, the focus remains on determining the full circumstances that led to the crash.

Traffic in the area of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road was temporarily slowed while law enforcement and rescue crews worked the scene. The roadway has since been cleared.

Local officials continue to urge drivers to use extreme caution, especially during early morning hours when visibility can be low and impaired driving incidents are more common. They stress the importance of avoiding alcohol or drug use before driving, pointing to tragedies such as Sunday’s crash as stark reminders of how quickly lives can change.

The Sheriff’s Office has encouraged anyone who may have witnessed the crash or observed the Chevrolet before the collision to contact investigators. Their accounts could help provide more clarity on what unfolded in the moments leading up to the deadly wreck.

As the investigation continues, the community of Loxahatchee has been left with another somber reminder of the dangers of impaired and wrong-way driving. One life has been lost, another has been severely affected, and a family is grieving the sudden loss of their loved one.