It's a possibility yes.................... a mates wheel bearing failed (after neglecting it for a long time) and the wheel came detached along with the hub and snapped the stub axle

Could seize on also, replaced my front bearings on my merc the other week as they had been making noise and the N/S race had seized onto the stub axle and I had to dremel it off.

I'd keep it off the road if it's as bad as you say