One Dead When TT & Garbage Truck Collide

Thompson - On June 24, 2013 State Police at Liberty responded to a report of a commercialMotor vehicle accident on State Route 42, south of Fraser Rd in the Town of Thompson.

Responding troopers determined that an International tractor-trailer owned by Estes Express Lines and operated by James Eaton, age 57 of High Falls, NY was traveling northbound on ST-42 and drifted into the southbound lane of travel as it was negotiating a curve in the roadway. A Mack garbage truck owned by Waste Management, Inc and operated by Brett Labbs, age 48 of Hawley, PA was traveling southbound on ST-42 and was unable to avoid the tractor trailer. The two vehicles collided. Eaton was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sullivan County Coroner’s Office. Labbs was transported by medevac helicopter to Westchester Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.

The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit as well as the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit was on scene to assist with the investigation. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Monticello Fire Department, the Rock Hill Fire Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Mobil Medic EMS, Hatzolah EMS and Lifenet NY.

{NewYorkBuffMedia Newsroom - Photos by: Yoel Goldstein}