Crash protection on Watch 8 cellular

Yes.

You still need an iPhone 8 or newer to pair to the Apple Watch, but the Apple Watch crash detection will work all by itself.

NOTE: when you have BOTH an iPhone 14 and an Apple Watch Series 8, they join forces to do an even better job, but each can work solo.

NOTE 2: If the Apple Watch Series 8 is a GPS only model, it will still need its paired iPhone 8 or newer nearby so it can use the iPhone to make the emergency call. A cellular Apple Watch Series 8 can make the emergency call without the iPhone being nearby.