A city Department of Sanitation truck crashed through the third story wall of the department’s storage facility and garage in Maspeth on Wednesday afternoon, leaving half the truck dangling over the streets below.
More than 100 firefighters from 25 units responded to the scene and within 30 minutes, worked to stabilize the vehicle and rescue the trapped driver, who was transported to Elmhurst Hospital for neck and back injuries.
The driver has been identified as Robert Legall, 56, who worked as a mechanic for Sanitation for 10 years. Sanitation spokesman Matthew Lippani told The Daily News that the driver was given a “performance evaluation,” which included a Breathalyzer and urine test, once he was released from the hospital.
The truck was a Sanitation salt spread, which weighed 16 tons. Falling debris from the accident appeared to have damaged some vehicles on the street below, but no other injuries were reported.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m., causing emergency personnel to close 58th Street from Borden Avenue to Laurel Hill and 52nd Road from 58th Street and 59th Street.
The cause of the accident is unknown.
by Eric Yun
