A 60-year-old woman was killed in East Harlem on Tuesday when a garbage truck collided with a parked car, sending the vehicle onto the sidewalk where it struck scaffolding that collapsed on top of her.
The fatal incident occurred just before 6:30 a.m. at East 101st Street and First Avenue, when a garbage truck collided with an unattended Kia Forte. The impact pushed the parked car onto the sidewalk, where it careened into scaffolding installed in front of 345 East 101st Street.
The woman was walking under the scaffolding when approximately 80 feet of the structure collapsed on her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim, who regularly collected cans for extra cash in the neighborhood, had not been publicly identified by authorities.
The 47-year-old truck driver and a 50-year-old passenger were both hospitalized in stable condition following the crash. Three others sustained minor injuries in the incident. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating the cause of the crash, and no arrests have been made.
The garbage truck belonged to Classic Recycling, a private waste management company based in Clifton, New Jersey. A company spokesperson confirmed the driver had been with the firm for two years with a clean driving record. The driver tested negative for drugs and alcohol at the scene.
“We are still gathering information about this tragic accident and are not able to provide any details at this time,” a Classic Recycling spokesperson said.
The company stated the driver appeared to be traveling under the speed limit. However, witnesses at the scene reported the truck was moving at excessive speed before the collision.
“I saw the garbage truck coming really fast down First Avenue,” a worker at a nearby deli said. “It hit this car and then this car, and it dragged that car over there.”
The witness described feeling the building vibrate as the truck passed, indicating the force and speed of the vehicle moments before impact. Another witness, a doorwoman who worked near the crash site, had greeted the victim just minutes before the tragedy occurred around 6:27 a.m.
The collapsed scaffolding had been installed on the building since 2023 and was permitted through 2026, according to the Department of Buildings. The structure surrounded a NYCHA building at the Metro North Plaza Houses.
Department of Buildings inspectors responded to the scene and determined the building itself was not damaged in the incident. Work to repair and reinstall the damaged scaffolding began shortly after the collapse, with NYCHA’s contracted sidewalk shed company handling the reconstruction.
This is not the first time a Classic Recycling truck has been involved in a fatal collision. The company’s truck was previously involved in a 2019 fatal pedestrian collision in Hell’s Kitchen. In that incident, the driver was arrested for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
The December 23, 2025, crash highlights ongoing concerns about private sanitation truck safety in New York City. Private garbage trucks operate in the early morning hours when streets are often less crowded, but visibility can be limited. The wet and dark conditions present at the time of Tuesday’s crash may have contributed to the collision.
Scaffolding and sidewalk sheds are common features throughout New York City, installed to protect pedestrians from falling debris during building maintenance and construction. The structures are designed to withstand typical urban conditions, but are vulnerable to vehicle impacts, particularly from large commercial trucks.
The victim was described by neighbors as a familiar presence in the East Harlem community. She regularly walked the neighborhood streets in the early morning hours, collecting recyclable cans to supplement her income. Local business owners recognized her as a regular customer who greeted them daily.
The intersection where the crash occurred is a busy area in East Harlem, with First Avenue serving as a major north-south corridor for vehicle traffic in Manhattan. The NYCHA building where the scaffolding was installed houses numerous residents in the Metro North Plaza Houses complex.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances that led to the garbage truck losing control and striking the parked Kia Forte. The NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad specializes in investigating serious traffic crashes and will determine whether any traffic violations or criminal charges are warranted in the case.
The tragedy marks another fatality in a city where pedestrian safety remains a persistent concern, particularly involving large commercial vehicles operating in residential neighborhoods during early morning hours.