Blair County, Pa (November 27, 2025) – One man is dead following a single-vehicle crash that occurred before 8 a.m. Thursday morning, along the 700 block of Brush Mountain Road in Hollidaysburg.
The Blair County coroner’s office identified the deceased driver as William Stonebraker of Hollidaysburg. He was pronounced dead after being taken to UPMC Altoona.
County dispatchers confirmed that only Mr. Stonebraker’s vehicle was involved in the incident. An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday morning, which is a key step in determining the precise cause of death.
Understanding Wrongful Death in a Single-Vehicle Crash in Pennsylvania
While a crash involving only one vehicle may appear straightforward, Pennsylvania law requires an investigation to determine if a third party was at fault. In a single-vehicle fatality, a wrongful death claim may be warranted if the crash was caused by issues related to a Vehicle Defect, such as a mechanical failure creating liability against the manufacturer or repair shop; a Roadway Hazard, like a poorly maintained road or object left in the road, which creates liability against a municipality or contractor; or a Third-Party Action, where another driver forced the victim off the road even without making physical contact.
The scheduled autopsy will be important in ruling out or confirming a sudden medical event as the cause of the death. If the death was caused by crash trauma, a wrongful death claim can proceed against any third party whose negligence contributed to the wreck. The statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim in Pennsylvania is generally two years from the date of death.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. If your family was affected by the loss of William Stonebraker, our PA wrongful death lawyer is here to help you every step of the way. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.