An elderly East Hills man might have been confused when he drove his car the wrong way onto the Parkway East early yesterday, leading to a fatal collision with another vehicle.

William Brazell, 78, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred at 4:11 a.m., state police said.

"He did have some confusion," one of his daughters, Cassandra Payne of Braddock, said yesterday.

"He was under doctor's care about it. He was at the doctor's office" on Monday, she added.

State police spokeswoman Robin Mungo said investigators had not determined exactly how Mr. Brazell managed to navigate his Chevy Cobalt onto the inbound lane of the Parkway while he was driving outbound, or east.

Troopers speculate that he may have entered in Churchill, where the westbound exit ramp and the eastbound on-ramp run side by side. The exit ramp spreads into three lanes at the intersection with William Penn Highway next to the Churchill police station.

The exit and on ramps are separated only by painted lines for the first 100 feet or so.

After entering the highway, Mr. Brazell drove east in the fast lane of the westbound side when his car collided with a Volvo station wagon. That car, driven by Maureen Papadopoulos, 40, of Plum, had been traveling west in the center lane. She suffered a leg injury and was being treated at UPMC Presbyterian. Employees there said she was released last night.

Her relatives at the hospital said she was resting comfortably yesterday but refused further comment.

The accident occurred just west of the Penn Hills exit, causing police to shut down the westbound side of the Parkway from there to the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville for several hours.

Motorists exiting the turnpike, as well as other westbound commuters, were delayed through the morning rush hour because of the accident. Most traffic was detoured onto business Route 22 from Monroeville to Wilkins.

The roadway was reopened at 9:51 a.m. after the wreckage had been cleared and the accident scene investigation had been completed.

Mrs. Papadopoulos was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash but Mr. Brazell, who died instantly, was not, police said.

Air bags deployed in both vehicles as the front left fenders of the two cars crashed into each other, Trooper Mungo said.

His daughter, Mrs. Payne, said the family had been concerned about Mr. Brazell because of his confused state lately.

Mr. Brazell had been retired for several years from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland, Mrs. Payne said.

A library spokeswoman yesterday said his employment there could not be confirmed.

While living at his East Hills home with his wife, Annie, he persistently contested his recent loss of independence.

Early yesterday he resisted restrictions placed on him by his wife and children.

"My mom was trying to keep him from going out, but he snuck out of the house," Mrs. Payne said.

"We knew there was something wrong," Mrs. Payne said. "That's why he was seeing the doctor."

She said his condition had not been diagnosed, but he sought medical help because of the confusion.

In addition to Mrs. Payne and his wife, Mr. Brazell's survivors include another daughter and a son. Funeral arrangements were incomplete yesterday.