The family of a man who was killed at a Hudson County recycling plant Saturday spoke exclusively with News 12 about the apparent accident that caused his death.
Rafel Maietta and his brother 31–year-old Angelo, who worked together for a junk removal company, made their regular pit stop at Lincoln Recycling on Dell Avenue and 48th Street in North Bergen Saturday morning.
As they were wrapping up, Maietta jumped back into his truck while his younger brother remained outside to close the doors on the back of the truck.
According to Maietta, a payloader, which was speeding in reverse, struck Angelo and his vehicle.
“My heart dropped because I knew my brother was behind the truck,” said Maietta. "He took his last breath and died right there."
Maietta told News 12 that the driver of the payloader was taken into police custody.
This site has a history of work-related incidents. Back in 2016, a worker died after a forklift fell on him. The company was later fined for safety violations.
There were also several violations from OSHA when a worker had their fingers severed back in 2012. The work site was then under the name of Eagle Recycling.
The North Bergen Police Department is taking the lead in the investigation. They have not yet said whether there will be any charges. News 12 reached out to the recycling facility for comment, but they didn't respond.