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Man killed in truck rollover

An Albrightsville man died when a garbage truck he was driving crashed into a house at 4:07 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Point Phillips and Lower Smith Gap roads in Eldred Township.

State police at the Lehighton barracks identified the man as Oscar O. Benavides, 49.

Police said he was driving north on Point Phillips Road, approaching the intersection with Lower Smith Gap Road, when the garbage truck failed to stop at the posted stop sign and attempted to turn right onto Lower Smith Gap Road.

Police said Benavides failed to make the right-hand turn, at which time the truck traveled off the north shoulder of Lower Smith Gap Road, striking the front porch at 1727 Lower Smith Gap Road.

The truck continued off the road, striking the main building of the residence, then rolled onto its driver’s side and struck a vehicle that was parked in the driveway of the residence in its right rear with the top corner of the cab/driver compartment.

The parked vehicle slid forward and came to rest in a bush while the garbage truck landed on its side in the driveway, police said.

The home is owned by a 63-year-old Kunkletown resident, police said.

They were assisted at the scene by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office, the Kunkletown Fire Department, Schlier’s Towing, the Polk Township Fire Department, Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder Company and West End Ambulance.

An Albrightsville man was killed in a garbage truck rollover in Eldred Township on Wednesday afternoon. COPYRIGHT LARRY NEFF/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS