Water-truck driver killed in crash

BY BRENDAN GIBBONS
Times-Shamrock Writer

A water-truck driver for the natural gas industry was crushed by his own vehicle Wednesday night (Dec. 10) in Springville Twp. state police said.

David D. Nesbitt, 51, of Wilkes-Barre, was driving north at low speed on Quarry Road in Springville Twp. around 10 p.m.

Nesbitt drove for Jefferson Twp.-based Majelus LLC. He had just taken fresh water to a job site and was hauling a load of waste water, said attorney Brett A. Datto of Philadelphia-based Weir & Partners LLP, representing Majelus.

As he descended a steep, snowy hill, the truck began to slide, police said in a crash report. The truck slid to the left side of the road and hit a ditch with the left front end. It continued either sliding or rolling along the ditch. Datto said his understanding was that the road was so icy that several other water trucks were not able to make it up the other side of the hill Nesbitt was descending.

While the truck was still moving in the ditch, Nesbitt exited the truck then fell underneath it, police said. It rolled over him.

The Susquehanna County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene, police said. Coroner Anthony Conarton said an autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.

Majelus owner Jody Cordaro held an employee meeting Thursday regarding Nesbitt’s death and made a grief counselor available to employees, Datto said.

“Mr. Cordaro and all of the employees are grief-stricken by this loss and we wish the best for Mr. Nesbitt’s family,” he said.

Tpr. Roger Riddell investigated the fatal crash.