Mayor Eric Adams and DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch expressed their deep sorrow following the tragic death of Richard Errico, a 19-year veteran of the New York City Department of Sanitation, who passed away while serving the community. Richard Errico dedicated nearly two decades to keeping New York’s streets clean and safe, making a positive impact in neighborhoods like Douglaston, Little Neck, and Bayside. Mayor Adams emphasized the vital role sanitation workers play in the city, and both leaders urged New Yorkers to honor and remember Richard’s service by extending gratitude to sanitation workers who continue this essential work.
Mayor Adams, DSNY Commissioner Tisch’s Statements on Death of Sanitation Worker
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch released the following statements following the death of Richard Errico, a 19-year DSNY veteran who died in the line of duty today.
“Our thoughts tonight are with Richard’s family, friends, coworkers, and everyone who knew and loved him,” said Mayor Adams. “I met with Richard’s family tonight and shared how deeply sorry I was for their loss. Richard kept our streets and communities safe and clean for more than 19 years, and we should all be keeping Richard and his family in our prayers. He, like 8,000 uniformed sanitation workers, went to work every day to make a difference in their communities. New York’s Strongest work tirelessly every day in incredibly difficult and physically taxing jobs. Too often, we don’t stop to thank them for all they do to make our city a better place for us all to live. Next time we see one of our trucks pass by or a sanitation worker keeping our neighborhood clean — let’s all give them the thanks and recognition they deserve.”
“Tonight, our department mourns the loss of Sanitation Worker Richard Errico, a 19-year veteran who served the people of Douglaston, Littleneck, and Bayside as one of the Strongest,” said DSNY Commissioner Tisch. “He did it proudly. I ask all New Yorkers to pray for his family — for Carol, Brooke, Paige, and Tommy, as Mayor Adams and I did. May Richard’s memory be a blessing.”
September 21 2024 New York City Hall
Tragedy Strikes Sanitation Department: Worker Killed in Freak Accident A devastating incident unfolded near the Queens East Garage as Richard Errico, a 54-year-old sanitation worker with 19 years of service, lost his life in a tragic accident[1]. Errico fell from his truck during a U-turn maneuver and was fatally struck by the vehicle’s wheels[1]. The exact circumstances leading to Errico’s fall remain unclear, though it’s worth noting that sanitation workers often leave truck doors open to facilitate frequent stops[1]. The veteran worker had been serving the communities of Douglaston, Little Neck, and Bayside[1].
In response to this heartbreaking event, both Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams expressed their condolences[1]. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad has taken charge of the investigation, employing their specialized skills to unravel the details of this unfortunate accident[1][2].
The Collision Investigation Squad, known for their meticulous approach, will likely conduct a thorough examination of the scene, including vehicle inspections and data analysis[2]. Their findings will be crucial in determining the factors that contributed to this tragic loss and potentially informing future safety measures for sanitation workers.
Citations:
[1] https://www.disqualificationappeals.com/blog/nypd-collision-investigation-squad/
[2] https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/faq/pd_101_121_collision_related_frequently_asked_questions.pdf
[3] https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/vehicles-property/faq-for-critical-fatal-injury-collisions.page
[4] https://troopers.ny.gov/collision-reconstruction
[5] https://collisionreport.nypdonline.org
[6] https://nyc.streetsblog.org/category/government-organizations/nypd/collision-investigation-squad
[7] https://twitter.com/highway1cis?lang=en
Sources: Midtown Tribune news, New York City Hall NYC.gov
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