$63K Raised For Parsippany Sanitation Worker After Tragic Accident

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Days after a Parsippany sanitation worker underwent emergency surgery after a tragic, on-the-job accident, the community has rallied by his family's side.

On Tuesday morning, 48-year-old Anthony Shandra was loading trash into the rear of the truck when a Nissan Altima struck him, according to police.

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The Nissan, driven by a 29-year-old man, caused Shandra to be pinned between the vehicles, crushing him, police said.

First responders rendered life-saving care to Shandra, and he was rushed to Morristown Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery for "severe injuries to his lower extremities."

More: Parsippany Garbage Man Crushed Against Truck, Severely Injured, Cops Say

Mayor Pulkit Desai said in a statement on Wednesday that Shandra was in recovery following the surgery.

Now, the community has given tens of thousands of dollars to support Shandra and his family.

As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe fundraiser has raised more than $63,000 from nearly 900 donations to help Shandra and his family cover medical expenses, missed wages, and more.

"The sanitation department is a close-knit group. We look out for one another every day on the job, and we will continue to stand beside (Shandra) throughout his recovery, providing support in every way we can," the fundraiser, organized by Shandra's coworkers, reads. "We are asking our community to join us in helping him through this difficult time. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will go directly toward easing the financial burden while he focuses on healing."

Both the mayor and the fundraiser highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant while on the roads.

This incident is a reminder of how quickly things can change," the GoFundMe reads. "We also ask everyone in the community to remember: when you see a sanitation truck on the road, please slow down and give the crew space to work safely. Those extra seconds can make all the difference."

The fundraiser can be found online here.