MANCHESTER – A dump truck tipped over in an attempt to avoid a crash, spilling its cargo and injuring its driver.
The crash took place at around 10:30 a.m. on June 6. Police said a vehicle was trying to make a left turn from Route 70 east onto Beckerville Road. Also heading east on 70 was a Chevrolet Equinox and a Peterbuilt dump truck. The Equinox went around the vehicle that was making a left, and that’s when it was hit in the passenger side by the dump truck.
The Equinox came to rest on the shoulder of 70. The driver, Luis A. Cruz, 73, of Whiting, was uninjured.
After the impact, the driver of the dump truck veered and hit the brakes. He tried a steering maneuver to regain control of the vehicle, which made it tip over on the passenger side in the shoulder of the road. He was hauling approximately 39,000 pounds of sand.
The driver was Joseph W. Cook, 64, of Ewing. He sustained lacerations to his head and upper body and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment.
The vehicle that was attempting to make a left did not get damaged.
The crash is still being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro, but at this point, following too closely appears to be the contributing factor.
In addition to police, EMTs and firefighters from Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department Fire Police, and Accurate Towing responded.
