A 24-ton Waste Pro recycling truck that was near the end of its run for the day overturned and crashed on its side on Palm Coast’s Reybury Lane at 3:15 this afternoon.
The driver, 50-year-old Bob Ackerman, was cut around the left knee and was bleeding a bit at the scene, but was otherwise walking and apparently uninjured elsewhere. He was bandaged by Flagler County Fire Rescue personnel but declined to be transported to a local hospital. He said he would eventually go there with his company.
There were no other injuries, and the truck, which was filled to capacity with about four and a half tons of recycled refuse, did not spill any of its content. The truck is powered by natural gas. A Palm Coast Fire Department captain at the scene said there were no issues with leakage.
“I came around the corner,” Ackerman said, “10, 15 miles an hour. I felt it. Nothing I could do. Maybe it was top-heavy. I don’t know. I’ve been driving these trucks on and off for 20 years.” Ackerman, a resident of Holly Hill, said he’s been with Waste Pro for three and a half years.
He was at the end of his run, with just six stops left for the day, he said.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper at the scene, however, cited Ackerman for traveling too fast while negotiating a curve. “Although he may not have been exceeding 30, he was going too fast for the curve,” the trooper said. “He claims he was doing 25.”
Ackerman got a $166 citation. “I don;t think it was a load shift that caused it. I think it was speed,” the trooper said, noting the evident tire marks at the curve, which hugged the side of the road.
Roger’s Towing dispatched two tow trucks, which got in position to right the recycling truck just before 4 p.m.
Palm Coast has been contracting with Waste Pro for garbage and recycling services for over six years.
Getting It Right: Watch a Roger’s Towing Crew Put the Truck Back on Its Wheels
BIG JOHN says
I am sure that he was speeding and the NTSB should investigate the accident. There is no way the truck was top heavy enough to tip over at 10-15 mph. I have seen some of these drivers speeding around and it has to stop. Imagine if he crushed someone. That is manslaughter. If this driver is found to have been reckless then he must be fired.
Geezer says
10 or 15 miles per hour. I’m glad I wasn’t drinking something as I read this.
I would have drowned!
This sort of thing happens because these workers have a schedule to keep and many don’t have a helper.
This is hard, smelly, back-breaking, and just plain unpleasant work with no union benefits. I don’t think they crack 10.00 per hour, and these guys work like slaves. They get paid shit for this and destroy their health at the same time. Yes, I feel bad for these guys.
These trucks routinely speed down my block and I’m surprised that they don’t have more accidents.
I blame the employer. Slave drivers that they are, and their workers living check to check.
I can’t imagine Waste Pro saying: “Take your time guys.” “Be safe.” “Even if we have to pay you an extra hour or two, just take your time.”
I don’t think so.
Anonymous says
Maybe they should just collect from the government would that make happier
Nathan says
If I am not mistaken, I believe that they as well as the sanitation crews receive a flat rate for their routes. (I admit it, I could be wrong)
As far as the 15 mph, I would highly doubt that. More than likely, 20-25+ mph and was not paying attention to the road. With that weight which is more likely about 16 to 18 tonnes loaded, at that speed its not too difficult to put on its side when a curve is misjudged or the driver is not paying attention.
Geezer, I give them credit as well. They are some seriously hard working people and are often overlooked for all of hard and challenging work they do for our community.
tom jack says
Imagine if he crushed someone. Well he didn’t so let it go. I am sure he was under time constraints and was just trying to get his job done in a timely manner. This is extremely hard work so cut the guy some slack.
Joe says
I have seen that truck in the past (remember the number). He was tailgating me on state road 100 heading towards Palataka. He rode my bumper for miles and I was doing 65 in a 60 posted speed limit. After riding my bumper for miles, he flew past me and was gone. Had to be doing 75 plus in a 60mph zone…
Anonymous says
Good thing no kids were in the area.
anonymous says
It doesn’t excuse driving out of control in busy neighborhoods where kids are riding bikes and playing in their yards or parents are taking their kids and babies for a walk. Same with the school busses.
They should have to abide by the speed limit like everyone else, especially with such a large vehicle that is even more difficult to control and stop! They speed by my street every single day and it is crazy!
Genie says
I’m glad everybody is alright. These guys do their best and are quite helpful when they are in your neighborhood. Would hate to have seen somebody hurt.
Rocky R. says
The NTSB doesn’t investigate traffic accidents
Shasha says
I have seen this guy driving and he is an accident waiting to happen. He was going faster than 15 MPH. I also watched him numerous times hit his air brakes and jump out of the truck while the truck is still moving and stops abruptly while the truck rocks back and forth. That is not good because those air brakes can fail especially if too low and with that amount of weight. I recommend he be retrained for safety reasons otherwise Waste Management is headed for a lawsuit if this guy kills someone. I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happens. He’s a danger to the Palm Coast Community. If someone was walking their dog they could have been flattened.
Debi Root says
I have no doubt this was caused by speeding. These Waste Pro trucks drive like maniacs! I know for a fact that the one on our street finishing picking up, gets to our dead end and then floors it to head back to the highway! I clocked these idiots at 48 mph on a road that has a 15 mph speed limit. It’s a wonder they haven’t killed someones child or pet.
Mr.mondex says
Speaking from many years of truck driving experience ,speed was defineatlly the factor to this wreck.ive driven roll- off container trucks very similar to this vehicle ,thank goodness the state trooper investigating
Did not smooth it over ,his investigation into why this happened ,is right on , one ques? Where is the FDOT officer ? I’m to the understanding ,FDOT officers have the same jurisdiction, to be on. The scene to this type of accident ,from past years of being on the roads of Flagler & volusia county’s these FDOT officers are more knowledgeable and specifically trained to spot other factors Into the cause of what & why an accident like this happened,again it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what caused this wreck,but FDOT should have been there & relieved the state trooper back to his highway patrol duties,like pulling over these crazy speeding drivers along our roads who gotta get there quicker than this truck driver had to get his route done,as far as the company being at fault like geezer stated in his comment ,he is way off base here it’s the poor”broke” underpaid driver ‘s fault for flying around that turn,the tire marks don’t lie.yes he should lose his job,thank the trooper for fining him properly , but again I say ,,, where was MR.DOT himself officer Sandberg,??? When we needed him ??? The FDOT ,by the book officer I’ve had the ( pleasure ) and like most truck drivers in our local area is on a first name basis with this officer to investigate this accident ,with his under the microscope type of investigation tactics… back to the ” BIll Elliot ” wannabe behind the steering wheel of this behemoth brand new Eco- friendly recycling vehicle ,,he got off easy this time not only with his own life ,but not involving any unsuspecting motorist with his shenanigans style of driving ,in today’s Economy ,there are plenty of truck drivers who would love to return to the working class of employment and take this job,and perform it safer than this 50 year old ,,again,,wannabe race car driver ,I’m sure like any other big company ,they push safety over any other factor in your work day .including speeding to get back to the shop so you can take another daily run or go home for the day. I’ve personally witnessed these recycle waste truck operators flying around the streets of the county especially out in the Daytona north ( mondex ) area where nobody’s watching them for no other reason than getting done for the work day ” SPEED KILLS ” SAFETY FIRST !!!!!!!!,,let’s all drive safely .we live in an area where speeding can be taken to the race track ,do it there ,,ladies & men alike , ,not on our roads
karma says
Waste Pro needs to raise their rates for everyone in Palm Coast to insure the drivers slow down? These trucks are very top heavy and roll overs occur much more often than you are aware of throughout the country. I am willing to bet even a Union driver has tipped one over. People act as if money will cure everything.
OOPS!!!!! says
They go very fast by our house, Don’t even stop at the stop sign..It’s an accident just waiting to happen..Surprised this hasn’t happened sooner than this.
Glad the drivers OK, though
Geezer says
It would pay better!
Palm coast resident says
He was doing 25 that’s the speed limit in a residential area!!!!!!!!
Anonymous says
that would be very hard to do all those trucks are governed at 65 miles an hour they cannot go over 65.
NortonSmitty says
It was in the R section, are we sure it wasn’t being hijacked?
BIG JOHN says
The City of Palm Coast should have its own Sanitation Department, its own trucks and hire drivers and pay them a decent wage. We need higher wages for our people, not more profits for crony capitalists who have friends at the country club. Higher wages equals more tax revenues and more spending that will stimulate the local economy. That is the American WAY.
Mike says
@ Big John, the cost is just to much, these trucks are at nearly 300K each with an average maintnence cost of nearly 5-7 K a year (on avaerage of a fleet 3-5 years old) Please do not confuse all companies for low wages, I have a friend who works at Waste Management in Ormond and makes nearly $18 per hour. He says some trash companies still pay day rate, you make a flat rate for the day, so the faster you get done the more you make hourly. The draw back to the day rate sounds like it pushes drivers to go faster, makeing them less safe. The city of Palm Coast had the option to go with a new trash hauler when the Waste Pro contract was up, they chose to stay with the cheapest company, its all about saving money these days.
BIG JOHN says
If Waste Management can charge a local government enough money to turn a profit, pay its workers, maintain its fleet, etc. then why don’t we have our own municipal sanitation department? If the cost is too much, then how does a privately owned company stay in business?
Ben Dover says
the recycling days are light days , empty cans and card board is not near as heavy as 48 gallon trash cans , the driver was hot dogging and should be fired and while were on the subject , why are we paying waste-pro anything , do you know how much money they make on all our empty cans ,its a freaking fortune, the price of all metal keeps going up, they get everyone`s cans in Palm Coast , Bunnell , Flagler Beach and Daytona for free that`s tons and tons a day they sell for scrap , were being ripped off as usual, they ought to weigh our bins each week and at end of month cut us a check or do it for free , nobody ever see`s how these contractors our dirty city counsel hires gets over on us