Garbage truck barrels into police station; no injuries

UNIONTOWN (AP) — Authorities say a driverless garbage truck barreled down a western Pennsylvania hill and rammed into a police station, damaging the building and police cars. No injuries were reported.

Capt. David Rutter of Uniontown police said his car was demolished in the accident shortly before 9:30 a.m. Monday. He estimated damage at “tens of thousands of dollars.”

The Advanced Disposal waste-hauling truck careening down hilly Court Street also damaged a second police car and tore down wires and barricades before coming to rest in an unoccupied department restroom.

Rutter said the driver told investigators that he had put the parking brake on. The truck will be inspected for mechanical problems.

Rutter said the police station was unusually empty because of the holiday. He said “Christopher Columbus probably saved somebody’s life today.”