Carbondale Man Killed in Rollover Crash on Casey Highway
CARBONDALE, Pa. — A 35-year-old Carbondale man, identified as Michael Propes, was killed in a rollover crash Thursday evening on the Casey Highway, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. on the eastbound lanes of the highway near the Carbondale exit. Propes was traveling alone in his vehicle when, for reasons still under investigation, he lost control. The car veered off the roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned multiple times before coming to rest on its roof.
Emergency responders from Carbondale and surrounding departments arrived quickly at the scene. Despite efforts to revive him, Propes was pronounced dead shortly after the crash. Authorities confirmed he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The Casey Highway was reduced to one lane for several hours Thursday night while investigators reconstructed the scene and crews cleared debris. Traffic backups extended for miles, and motorists were urged to seek alternate routes until the roadway reopened later in the evening.
State police said the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. Factors such as speed, roadway conditions, and possible mechanical failure are all being reviewed. Officials did not immediately release information regarding whether seatbelts were in use at the time of the accident.
The news of Propes’ death has left the Carbondale community in mourning. Friends and neighbors described him as a caring and hardworking man with deep ties to the area. “Michael always looked out for people,” one longtime acquaintance said. “This is just a devastating loss for everyone who knew him.”
Thursday’s crash marks another fatal accident on the Casey Highway, a stretch of roadway that has seen multiple serious collisions in recent years. Safety advocates have urged drivers to remain vigilant, especially during evening travel hours when visibility is reduced.
The Lackawanna County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to confirm the official cause of death. Funeral arrangements for Michael Propes are expected to be announced in the coming days.
State police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the Troop R, Dunmore barracks as the investigation continues.
