Dump Truck Takes a Spill at Atwater Paving; One Person Injured

Just before 9 a.m. this morning, Gil Milliard, a 30-year employee of Atwater Paving on North Main Street was injured when his dump truck tipped over on one side during a routine operation. Milliard sustained non-life threatening injuries according to Branford Deputy Fire Chief Shaun Heffernan. He was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation.

Company foreman Ron Nettleton said Milliard, who is in his early 60s, has diabetes and may have become disoriented with low blood sugar causing him to flip the truck. Milliard, Nettleton stated, backed the truck off a fill pile with a near-full load of dirt. When firefighters arrived,  Nettleton said Milliard was shaken up and out of sorts but had no visible physical injuries.

After the Fire Department assisted Milliard, a Branford resident, and transported him to the hospital, Branford Police came to secure the scene. Around 9:30 a.m. Police were waiting at the paving company for OSHA to show up and survey the scene for safety. At this time the truck is still on its side and blocked off by caution tape. Police said after OSHA secures the scene, the truck, which sustained moderate damage, can be up righted. The front windsheild was busted out of the truck and damage was caused to the body of the vehicle. It may take a crane or heavy machinery to right the truck. 

Atwater has four trucks total, reported Nettleton. This was the first accident the company has had in a long time, he shared. "The last time we put a truck on its side was in the 80s." 

John Brasile is the owner of the company and he was on scene during the incident. 

Please check back to find out the condition of Milliard.