Man Killed in Garbage Truck Accident in Centre County

Last updated 9:20 a.m., Jan. 21, 2024.

One person is dead after a garbage truck accident Wednesday in Centre County, according to state police at Rockview.

Nathen R. Kerstetter, 38, of Milesburg, was hanging off the back of the truck just before noon when the driver backed the vehicle into a tree overhanging a driveway on the 200 block of North Main Street in Port Matilda, police wrote in a public information release. The driver did not see the tree as he was backing up, according to the release.

Kerstetter died from injuries sustained in the impact. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Centre County Deputy Coroner J.D. Kubalak. Port Matilda EMS and Port Matilda Fire Company also responded.

The men worked for Newman Hill Inc. of Milesburg.

A spokesperson for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the federal agency has opened an investigation into the incident, but could not yet provide further details. OSHA has six months to conduct an investigation and release its findings.