NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The driver of a Department of Public Works garbage truck that crashed and flipped over near the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey Wednesday says it’s a miracle he’s alive, and that he tried to minimize the damage to those around him after his breaks failed.
"I lost the brake, the truck kept on going, I couldn't stop," said Eulalio Diaz, "I tried a lot of things, but it didn't work."
There were 12 injuries, none critical, when Diaz’s truck overturned in the westbound lanes on Route 495 in Union City.
“The only thing I remember is that I tried to hit a soft spot, not to hit another vehicle,” said Diaz.
The crash occurred on 1 p.m. and effectively stopped Lincoln Tunnel traffic for hours.
The 53-year-old Diaz is slowly recovering from his injuries in the hospital and says he’s doing better but is still in a lot of pain."I am glad I'm alive and the truck stopped somewhere at a point where it didn't kill people or destroy more property," he said. "I tried to cushion the blow the best I could with the little time I had."
The investigation into the crash is continuing.