BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo police revealed that the 46-year-old city worker behind the wheel of the garbage truck that hit and critically injured a 17-year-old Wednesday morning was driving with a suspended commercial driver’s license (CDL).
The 17-year-old, who was backed into by the truck, remains in critical condition at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
17-year-old critical after being hit by garbage truck on Rhode Island Street
Police told WIVB News 4 that an issue with an endorsement on her CDL caused the suspension. Endorsements give CDL holders extra privileges, like transporting passengers.
Police said after the incident, the 46-year-old city worker went to reinstate her license.
Questions remain as to why the truck reversed down Rhode Island Street and through 14th Street before backing into the teenager.
Buffalo Department of Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton said that it’s unusual for garbage trucks to reverse as far as this one did.
Marton said he’s digging into how this employee’s suspended license slipped through the cracks. An internal investigation is underway and Marton said he has met with employees to answer questions about best practices.