Tuesday, January 13, 2015

RECYCLING TRUCK OVERTURNS ON ICY ROAD IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP IN FRIEDENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA



RECYCLING TRUCK OVERTURNS ON ICY ROAD IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP IN FRIEDENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA


By Amy Marchiano
Published: January 13, 201

FRIEDENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA— No one was injured when icy road conditions resulted in a recycling truck overturning in Wayne Township on Monday.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the 2:47 p.m. accident occurred when the driver of a 2001 International 4900 DT Potts & Monger Sanitation truck, Pine Grove, while proceeding on South Front Street, skidded with the vehicle ending up on its side, spilling some of its contents, including beer cans, plastic jugs and cardboard.

“Obviously, it’s an icy road,” state police Trooper Timothy Rymarkiewicz, of the Schuylkill Haven barracks, said.

He said the driver, Gene Ferrebee, 73, of Pine Grove, attempted to slow down the 10-wheel vehicle when the skidding occurred. Rymarkiewicz said Ferrebee will not be charged.
Ferrebee and his passenger, Sterling Moyer, also a Potts & Monger employee, escaped injury. Both were wearing seat belts, Rymarkiewicz said.

It appeared, Rymarkiewicz continued, that the road had been treated prior to the accident. Rymarkiewicz didn’t know the extent of the damage to the vehicle but said, “It’s probably not safe for him to drive.”

Ferrebee said they were collecting recyclables while on the top of the hill and then they started skidding once they drove down.

“The truck just startled sliding and there was nothing I could do about it. I was hoping the truck would stop,” Ferrebee said, adding he tried to steer the truck but to no avail.
He said they both climbed out of the truck on their own. A passing motorist stopped by and called 911.

Michael Potts, owner of the truck, said that Ferrebee has been a driver for about two years. Ferrebee said he never had a truck overturn on him before and was thankful to be alive.
The Summit Station Fire Company and the Friedensburg Fire Company No. 1, Friedensburg fire police and state police at Schuylkill Haven responded to the scene.