Jogger killed by construction-size forklift in DeWitt identified

Forklift accident East Syracuse

A man was hit and killed by an industrial front loader while jogging in East Syracuse on Wednesday, May 11, 2020. (Rylee Kirk | Rkirk@syracuse.com)

DeWitt, N.Y. -- A 41-year-old jogger was struck and killed by a large industrial-size forklift loader Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Eric M. Edwards, of Ohio, was running on the shoulder of the road in front of 6600 New Venture Gear Dr. when he was fatally struck, according to a news release from DeWitt police Thursday.

Edwards was struck by the forklift at 1:58 p.m. Wednesday and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The industrial-size loader was moving construction supplies along New Venture Gear Drive when it hit the jogger, DeWitt Police Chief Chase Bilodeau said at the scene.

The driver of the forklift stayed on the scene and there was no indication they were impaired by drugs or alcohol, Bilodeau said.

The accident is still under investigation, police said Thursday.

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.

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