Lawrence Wink Baldwinsville: Lawrence “Larry” Wink, Principal At Hastings-Mallory Elementary School in Central Square District, Killed In Baldwinsville Garbage Truck Accident By Aspen Springs Drive and White Chapel Road
BALDWINSVILLE, NEW YORK (November 19, 2019) – Principal Lawrence Wink who oversaw Hastings-Mallory Elementary School has tragically died in a trash truck accident not far from the intersection of Aspen Springs Drive and White Chapel Road.
Authorities are saying that the garbage truck accident took place in the Village of Baldwinsville around 7:00 a.m. A trash truck owned by Syracuse Haulers Waste Removal Inc. was reversing down Aspen Springs Drive when it hit Lawrence Wink.
Lawrence Wink was crossing the street at the time of the collision. The victim was knocked to the ground and sustained traumatic injuries.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures Lawrence Wink was pronounce dead at the scene.
Authorities are still investigating what happened, but no charges have been filed at this time. Central Square Supt. Thomas Colabufo released the following statement after the garbage truck accident.
“Lawrence Wink has been principal at Hastings-Mallory Elementary School in Central Square District for the past 11 years. During that time he left a legacy of kindness, energy and advocacy for all students. Students and staff alike loved Larry. He was a leader in the community and in the district. He truly loved his job. He will be greatly missed.”
An investigation into the Baldwinsville trash truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability In Baldwinsville Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks are a necessary part of every community in the United States. But their sheer size and weight can present a number of safety concerns for pedestrians. According to one report from Titan Recycle and Trash, “an average large garbage truck weighs about 64,000 pounds or 32 short tons. Smaller trucks weigh about 20 tons, making even the smaller trucks wear on the quality of the roads their routes follow.” Garbage trucks also tend to have extremely large blind spots, especially behind them:
As featured in the diagram above, there is actually technology available for garbage trucks to help eliminate blind spots and prevent accidents. A combination of radars and cameras can help detect pedestrians near the truck. In the absence of this technology garbage truck drivers must exercise great caution to avoid hitting pedestrians. There are a number of measures that garbage truck drivers should taken to prevent hitting anything while backing up:
- Truck drivers must get adequate training, a commercial license and be aware of their blind spots.
- Truck drivers must check their blind spots before backing up.
- If truck drivers can’t see what’s behind them through their mirrors a spotter should help guide them while they are backing up.
- If the truck only contains the driver then the driver himself / herself should exit the vehicle before backing up.
Truck drivers must be especially cautious to avoid hitting pedestrians that are in marked crosswalks. According to Article 27 – NY Vehicle and Traffic Law S 1151. Pedestrians` right of way in crosswalks. (a), “When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk on the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling.” Depending on the facts of any case numerous entities could be liable for a garbage truck accident.
If a county owned garbage truck hits a pedestrian, the county that employed the driver could be liable. If a private garbage truck driver was negligent and caused an accident the company that he or she worked for could face civil liability. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior government and corporate entities are generally liable for the negligent conduct of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of potential factors in pedestrian accidents involving garbage trucks:
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Unfamiliarity with roadway
- Internal distractions
- Roadway problems
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Inadequate surveillance
- Fatigue
The family of any victim that died in a an accident with a garbage truck may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help with lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Potential claimants in a civil matter may include the victim’s spouse, children, parents or siblings. There are, however, statute of limitations associated with a civil claim. It is therefore important to act quickly and make sure that evidence is being preserved. A garbage truck accident attorney can investigate all of the facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal rights are.
Investigating A Baldwinsville Garbage Truck Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lawrence Wink as they are going through such a difficult time. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the Baldwinsville Police Department at (315) 635-3131. As personal injury attorneys and consumer safety advocates it is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to prevent additional tragedies like this. This was a preventable accident that should not have taken place. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
