Runaway Dump Truck Rolls into Sewickley Home

A man was taken to the hospital Saturday after being run over while attempting to stop his runaway dump truck before it struck a house.

said James Maruca, 62, was unable to stop his dump truck before it went crashing into a neighbor’s house in the 500 block of Hill Street.

The accident happened shortly after 7 p.m. as Maruca was working on his blue Ford F-350 at the top of his gravel driveway, about 130 feet up hill from his neighbor’s porch.  

Maruca told police he was standing outside the truck on the driver’s side, with the engine on, when the truck started to roll down the driveway. He attempted to stop it and was struck and partially run over. The truck continued across the street and crashed into and onto the front porch of Robert and Gail Garlitz’s home causing severe damage to the porch and inner house area.

and responded. Maruca was treated and taken to . No one inside the home was injured, police said. 

Police said several bystanders heard the crash, but no one witnessed it directly. The truck was towed from the house.

Police said because Maruca was not driving the vehicle, officers were not able to issue citations for vehicle code violations and police said the dump truck was current on registration, inspection and insurance. The neighbors were advised to contact their insurance company.

Sewickley Police responded to the following recent incidents. Each incident reflects police records and is not an indication of guilt.

Stolen bicycle

Police received a report Thursday of a yellow Mongoose bike stolen from the front of the Sewickley Valley YMCA between 3 and 4:30 p.m. The bike is worth about $150, police said.

Broken hose

Police were called at 10:55 a.m. Sunday to Locust Place for a report of a garden hose that burst and was flooding the sidewalk. Police responded and shut off the water supply.

Loose dog

Police were called at 3:30 p.m. June 1 to the 1500 block of Center Street for a report of a dog running at large. The dog was gone with officers arrived, police said.

Noise complaint

Police received a noise complaint at 10:40 p.m. in the 600 block of Broad Street where a band was playing music outside. Police advised the band they needed to shut it down for the night and they did.