Garbage truck crashes after losing brakes on hill in Hawthorne; driver seriously injured

A garbage truck crashed into a wooded area of Goffle Brook Park in Hawthorne after losing its brakes while descending a steep hill on nearby MacFarlan Avenue.  The truck’s driver, who was rescued from the wreck by a Hawthorne police officer, sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson.  A paramedic team from St. Joseph’s assisted Hawthorne EMTs with patient evaluation and care.  Hawthorne FD attended to a crash related fluid leak and remained on standby at the scene until the vehicle was safely removed by a heavy duty tow truck.