Scottdale man charged in death of passenger in 2021 crash

A Scottdale man was arrested Wednesday on state police accusations that he was driving a pickup truck that crashed, causing the death of his passenger.

Earl Brooks Gilbert IV, 38, is charged with homicide by vehicle, reckless endangerment and related offenses in connection with the 2021 death of Brandalyn Pomaibo, 35, of Mt. Pleasant Township.

Troopers said in court papers that Gilbert was driving south on Water Street in East Huntingdon on Sept. 21, 2021 during heavy rains when the Ford pickup drifted off the road and began to spin into oncoming traffic. It collided with a car driving the opposite direction about 7:15 p.m.

The crash happened between Scottdale and the village of Alverton on a winding section of Water Street. A state police crash reconstruction showed that speed may have contributed to Gilbert’s ability to negotiate a bend in the road, according to court papers.

The reconstruction also pointed to Gilbert’s physical condition as being a factor — his blood tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl, police said. He is not charged with impaired driving. The arresting trooper could not be reached.

Gilbert was taken to a hospital after the crash for treatment and authorities seized cocaine and marijuana from him, according to court papers. He is free on his own recognizance. He could not be reached and did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for March 19.