Cayden Wiseman, Dominic Moore, and Unnamed Third Victim Killed in Tragic Head-On Collision in Huston Township, Clearfield County: Community Reels from Heartbreaking Loss on Route 255 as Families and Friends Mourn

PENFIELD, PA  In a devastating and deeply tragic accident that has sent shockwaves through Clearfield County and neighboring communities, three individuals lost their lives late Monday night in a catastrophic head-on crash in Huston Township. The collision occurred at approximately 9:21 p.m. on May 26, 2025, along the 7000 block of Bennetts Valley Highway (Route 255), a rural roadway notorious for its sharp curves, minimal lighting, and challenging nighttime visibility.

Clearfield County Coroner Kim Shaffer Snyder confirmed on Tuesday morning that the crash resulted in the deaths of three young men. Two of the victims have been publicly identified as **Cayden Wiseman, 20, of DuBois**, who was the driver of the first vehicle, and **Dominic Moore, 20, also of DuBois**, who was a passenger in the same car. The third victim, the driver of the second vehicle, has not yet been named publicly pending notification of family.

The news has left the communities of **DuBois**, **Penfield**, and **St. Marys** grief-stricken and searching for answers after the loss of three young lives, two of whom were deeply rooted in their hometown. Family members, friends, classmates, coworkers, and neighbors have been left in disbelief, struggling to come to terms with the sudden and violent nature of the crash that claimed those they loved.

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### **The Crash: A Fatal Night on Route 255**

According to Pennsylvania State Police and accident reconstruction experts, the crash happened when Cayden Wiseman’s vehicle—believed to be a sedan—was traveling southbound along Bennetts Valley Highway, while the second vehicle, driven by the unidentified victim, was traveling northbound. For reasons that are still under investigation, the two vehicles collided head-on at high speed. Investigators have not yet released any details about whether speed, impaired driving, distraction, or weather conditions played a role, though the roadway was reportedly dry at the time.

Emergency services, including firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement, responded quickly to the scene after multiple 911 calls were placed by witnesses and nearby residents. First responders described the scene as “chaotic and tragic,” with both vehicles severely mangled and debris scattered across the two-lane road. All three men were pronounced dead at the scene. Autopsies are scheduled to determine exact causes of death, though trauma-related injuries are believed to be the primary cause in all three fatalities.

Photos and videos from the aftermath show the heartbreaking scale of destruction—a sobering reminder of how quickly life can be altered or ended on dangerous roads like Route 255.

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### **Remembering Cayden Wiseman: A Young Man Full of Promise**

Cayden Wiseman, 20, was a 2022 graduate of DuBois Area High School and was known for his sharp wit, hardworking nature, and deep loyalty to friends and family. He had recently started working in a skilled trade, employed as a mechanic at a local automotive garage in DuBois, where he was quickly earning a reputation for his diligence and eagerness to learn. Friends describe Cayden as “the guy who always showed up,” whether it was for work, to help a friend move, or to lend an ear when someone needed to talk.

His parents, speaking through tears, said Cayden had dreams of opening his own auto shop someday. He had recently started taking night classes at a local community college to build on his business knowledge and was passionate about restoring classic cars. He loved hiking in nearby Parker Dam State Park, four-wheeling with friends, and playing pickup basketball at the YMCA.

“Cayden was our rock,” his sister Megan said. “He was so steady and dependable. He made everyone laugh, even when he was having a bad day. It’s unbearable to think he’s gone.”

His friends have already begun organizing a candlelight vigil in his honor at the DuBois City Park, and a mural is being planned by local artists to memorialize his passion for cars and his free-spirited soul.

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### **Dominic Moore: A Loyal Friend and Creative Soul**

Dominic Moore, also 20, had been Cayden’s best friend since elementary school. The two were often seen together around town and were considered inseparable by those who knew them. Dominic was known for his gentle demeanor, his artistic talents, and his deep empathy. A gifted sketch artist and aspiring tattoo designer, Dominic had been working at a local art supply store while building his portfolio and taking commission work.

Dominic’s mother, Angela Moore, shared that her son was deeply committed to helping others through art. “He believed in expressing what words couldn’t say. He saw beauty where others saw flaws. That was his gift.”

Dominic had recently begun collaborating with a tattoo parlor in St. Marys and had plans to formally apprentice there starting this fall. He also volunteered at a local youth center, where he mentored kids who were interested in drawing and graphic design.

“He had such a kind heart,” said his high school art teacher. “He was the kind of person who would leave you a note just to say you were doing a good job. His loss will be felt deeply.”

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### **The Unnamed Victim: A Third Family Shattered**

While the identity of the third victim has not yet been released, officials confirm that he was the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash. He was believed to be traveling home from work or a local event when the collision occurred. Police are working to notify next of kin and have asked the public to respect the family’s privacy during this incredibly difficult time.

Multiple people in the Penfield community have expressed their sorrow for the unknown victim, lighting candles and leaving flowers at a makeshift memorial near the crash site. One passerby noted, “We might not know his name yet, but we mourn him just the same.”

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### **Community in Mourning**

The magnitude of this tragedy has left the entire region in mourning. Flags have been lowered to half-staff across Clearfield County, and many schools and local businesses observed moments of silence on Tuesday morning. Social media has been flooded with tributes, memories, and messages of heartbreak, as friends and strangers alike come together to grieve the tremendous loss of three young lives.

DuBois Area High School, where both Cayden and Dominic graduated, issued a statement expressing condolences and offering grief counseling to students and alumni impacted by the tragedy. “These were young men with their whole lives ahead of them. Their absence is a void we can never truly fill.”

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### **A Dangerous Road Under Scrutiny**

The fatal crash has also reignited community concerns about Bennetts Valley Highway. Long known as one of the more dangerous roads in the area due to its narrow lanes, poor lighting, and blind curves, Route 255 has been the site of several serious accidents over the past decade.

In the wake of the crash, residents and local lawmakers have begun calling for immediate safety reviews, potential repaving, additional signage, or even installing centerline rumble strips to alert drivers. State Representative Brian Smith issued a statement Tuesday pledging to push for “a comprehensive safety evaluation of the Route 255 corridor.”

“This tragedy should never have happened,” said Penfield resident Karen Lightner. “We’ve been asking for safer conditions for years. How many more lives need to be lost before something is done?”

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### **Honoring the Memory, Moving Forward**

As families prepare for memorial services and funerals, the greater community is mobilizing to offer support. A joint GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the Wiseman and Moore families cover funeral costs, and donations have already surpassed \$25,000 in less than 24 hours.

A moment of silence is planned for Friday night’s high school baseball game, and churches throughout the area will be holding interfaith prayer services over the weekend.

Despite the sorrow, community leaders say they are committed to ensuring the memories of Cayden Wiseman, Dominic Moore, and the unnamed third victim will not be forgotten. Plans are underway to plant trees at three local parks in their honor, and scholarships are being discussed in both young men’s names to help future students pursue their passions—whether in art, mechanics, or beyond.

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### **A Lasting Legacy**

This Memorial Day week was meant to be a time of reflection and gratitude—but instead, it has become a time of mourning. For three young men whose lives were just beginning, for the dreams they carried, and for the families and friends they leave behind, the grief is immeasurable.

Still, as the communities of DuBois, Penfield, and St. Marys come together in this moment of unimaginable loss, there is a shared resolve to honor them by living as they did—with kindness, passion, friendship, and a fierce love for life.

**If you have any information related to the crash or wish to provide eyewitness accounts, please contact Pennsylvania State Police at DuBois Barracks. The investigation remains ongoing.**

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