San Diego investigating man's near-crushing in trash truck
SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego officials are investigating after a homeless man was nearly crushed to death in a city garbage truck.
The San Diego Union-Tribune says the city was clearing up a sidewalk encampment on Dec. 22 when a crew threw a tent into the truck. The man inside began screaming and waving his arms before they activated the hydraulic compactor.
The city's deputy chief operating officer, Paz Gomez, calls it a terrible incident.
Police and code-enforcement officers regularly clear out sidewalk camps, especially since homeless people have been linked to a hepatitis outbreak last year that killed 20 people.
However, they're required to check tents and shelters first.