Emmanuel R. Mejia, 19, of Winter Haven, FL, was loading garbage onto a Florida Refuse truck when he was hit by a 2007 Suzuki driven by Stephen W. Horne, 26, of Bartow,FL.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, Both vehicles had been traveling north on Hankin Road just three miles east of Bartow on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 6:55 a.m.
Gerald T. Polinski of Lakeland, FL, was driving the garbage truck, when he had to make a pickup when Horne's vehicle collided with the truck and Mejia, according to an FHP report.
As of Thursday, Mejia's condition was unavailable. The crash remains under investigation.
Mejia is also an amateur boxer and has a 3-year-old son, according to Mejia's trainer, Laura "Lady Ram" Ramsey. When he has the money, Ramsey trains Mejia at the International Market World in Auburndale where the Polk County Boxing Team and RCF Fitness Center are located, Ramsey said. "The last time I spoke to him was Monday. He paid for the next 30 days," and he said he would return Tuesday, she said.
Mark Talbott, general manager of Florida Refuse Services, said employees who work in waste and recycling are at risk for injury. He stated that he has been pushing for every area that uses Florida Refuse to start using an automated truck, which Talbott said is much safer for employees because they don't have to load the garbage manually.
Talbott said Mejia is being treated for his injuries at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
"We are pulling for him. He is an important part of our business and our family at Florida Refuse," he said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, 413,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,584 were involved in fatal crashes in the United States. A total of 4,808 people died and an additional 101,000 were injured in those crashes in the United States.
In my practice as an attorney in Polk County, FL, I represent automobile accident victims. In the instant case, the injured victim was struck by a vehicle while working. It is important to note that the victim may not only pursue a negligence action against the at fault driver, he may also file a worker's compensation claim. In the State of Florida, an injury that occurs while in the course and scope of employment is subject to a worker's compensation claim.
