Hazlet Man Seriously Injured After Being Struck by Delivery Truck at Airport Plaza

A Hazlet man was seriously injured Wednesday when he was struck by a delivery truck in Airport Plaza, according to Police Chief James Broderick.

The preliminary investigation shows that the 75-year-old was walking in the fire lane shortly before 12 p.m. in front of the plaza near the liquor store when a Pepsi delivery truck reversed over him, Broderick explained.

The man, whose identity is being withheld until family members can be notified of his injuries, was pinned under the truck. The Hazlet First Aid Squad responded to the scene with a rescue truck and used hydraulic equipment to lift the truck off of the victim. 

After lifting the truck, emergency medical personnel were able to attend to the victim and transport him to a nearby shopping center where a NJ State Police helicopter was able to land. He was flown to the trauma center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

He suffered severe injuries to his upper body, particularly to his arm, Broderick explained.

"The last we heard he was in surgery," he said. 

No summons have been issued at this time as the accident remains under investigation.

Patrolman Jerry Laurino is conducting the investigation and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team is assisting. 

A MONOC (Monmouth Ocean Hospital Service Corporation) ambulance also responded to the scene.