Bergen Garbage Truck Worker Dies After Being Struck by His Own Truck

A garbage truck worker died in northern New Jersey Wednesday after being struck by his own truck.

The driver, William Handlin of Kearny, called the Franklin Lakes Police Department at 4:23 p.m. to report ”he just struck one of the members of his crew with a garbage truck,” Franklin Lakes Lieutenant John Bakelaar said.

Officers arrived at the scene found the victim, Stanley Rollins, 53, of Paterson, underneath the vehicle.

Rollins was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, where he was later pronounced dead, Lt. Bakelaar said.

Handlin was issued a summons for careless driving, while the garbage truck company, Gaeta Recycling Co. Inc, was issued summonses due to lights on the truck being out and an oil leak, though Lt. Bakelaar states ”neither equipment violations were contributory” to the accident.

The incident appears to be accidental, but police are asking that any witnesses contact the Franklin Lakes Police Department at 201-891-3131.

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