Driver cited in trash truck rollover

Afsha Bawany

Thursday, July 24, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

A garbage truck driver for Republic Services of Southern Nevada was cited for an unsafe turn after the truck he was driving rolled over Wednesday.

The accident happened around noon on Happy Valley Road and Nellis Boulevard when Vincent Marrazzo, 60, was trying to make a left turn onto Happy Valley. Marrazzo was driving too fast for the size of his vehicle, Officer Tracy McDonald, a Metro Police traffic supervisor, said.

McDonald said a witness called in the accident.

Marrazzo was driving alone and was trapped inside the truck on the passenger's side of the vehicle, McDonald said. Clark County firefighters were able to rescue him within five to 10 minutes. He was taken to University Medical Center with head injuries, where he was treated and released.

"It was fortunate that no one else was in the lane and no one was crossing the street," said Clark County Fire Capt. Ed Beaman, who helped rescue Marrazzo.

Trash spilled onto the side street, causing some drivers to swerve to avoid the rancid piles of garbage on the road.

Republic Services of Southern Nevada was not cited.

"It was his responsibility to ensure safe operation of a heavy vehicle," McDonald said.

A rollover of such a large vehicle is rare and usually occurs on off-ramps and on-ramps, he said.

Garbage trucks are usually involved in minor rear-end accidents, and not often do they get into accidents on side streets.

"They are cautious drivers," McDonald said.

Marrazzo was suspended from his job pending an investigation, Republic Services spokeswoman Lee Haney said. Trash pickup was not interrupted by the rollover, she said.

Marrazzo is scheduled to respond to the citation Aug. 28 in Las Vegas Justice Court.