Town Worker Struck, Killed by Car While Picking Up Garbage

By Joe Dowd

A Town of Oyster Bay worker collecting municipal garbage was struck and killed in Oyster Bay Monday morning on West Main Street.

Police at the scene said the worker was struck while picking up garbage in the vicinity of Verelli's Market by an eastbound motorist. The victim was either on or near the garbage truck when the collision took place.

Police at the scene said a female driver apparently was blinded by sunlight as she drove eastbound past the garbage truck. The windshield of a red Mini-Cooper was shattered about 75-feet away from the garbage truck.

Police said the investigation is continuing; crime scene detectives were inspecting the vehicles this morning.

The identity of the worker is being withheld pending notification of relatives, said Marta Kane, a spokeswoman for the Town of Oyster Bay. The town would have no further immediate comment on the tragedy, she said.

Many town workers were at the scene of the incident Monday morning, just one block away from Town Hall. Many seemed distraught.

The worker was attached to the highway department, which picks up municipal, as opposed to private, garbage contained in public trash bins. A public trash bin is located in front of Verelli's Market, a popular grocery store known for its Italian specialties and sandwiches.

This is a breaking story: Patch will provide further updates.