A pre-dawn trash run turned deadly in East New York on Wednesday when a garbage truck backing into a Stanley Avenue building ran over a Yonkers man who was standing inside, police said.
Investigators identified the victim as 54-year-old Franklin Torres. He was rushed to One Brooklyn Health's Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. The crash happened just before 5 a.m., when the truck was backing into the building and, investigators say, rolled over Torres after he fell. The driver stayed at the scene and an investigation is underway.
As reported by News12, the NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is leading the probe. Detectives are examining the truck's path and interviewing witnesses to piece together how Torres ended up in the vehicle's way while inside the building. Police said the driver did not flee, and no arrests had been announced as of the report.
Scene and hospital
Torres was transported to One Brooklyn Health's Brookdale Hospital Medical Center and pronounced dead there, officials said. The hospital lists its main campus at 1 Brookdale Plaza in East New York. Authorities have not released details about the garbage truck's company or the driver's identity.
Investigation and possible charges
The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad, the unit that typically investigates crashes that result in death, is handling evidence collection and reconstruction, according to an Office of the New York State Attorney General description of the squad's role. If investigators find evidence of criminality, the local district attorney would review the case before deciding whether to bring charges. In a recent instance, the Queens District Attorney pursued an indictment after an NYPD Highway probe. For now, police have not announced any charges in the East New York case.
Broader safety context
Crashes involving private garbage trucks have been a recurring safety concern across New York City, even as this case remains under investigation and officials have not publicly tied it to that sector.
A 2024 coalition report summarized by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest found persistent safety problems in the private carting industry. Separately, Streetsblog reported that crash rates per private truck remain high even as long-promised reforms lag. "The private sanitation system continues to be a threat to the safety of New Yorkers," an advocate told Streetsblog.
City response and reforms
City officials have pointed to longer-term efforts meant to reduce truck mileage and clear up crowded streets, including a push to expand commercial containerization and an updated solid-waste management plan. The mayor's office announced next steps on containerization this spring, and the Department of Sanitation's 2026 solid-waste plan outlines strategies to modernize collection and move more pickups off neighborhood streets.
Back in East New York, detectives are pulling together witness statements and any available video to determine exactly how Torres was struck. As News12 reported, the driver remained at the scene and no arrests have been made. The NYPD says the Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case and officials are expected to release more information as the investigation continues.
