Published Monday, May 6, 2002
PULASKI TOWNSHIP
Backhoe mishap kills 75-year-oldA Pulaski Township man was killed Sunday after he was crushed by a backhoe in his backyard, state police in New Castle said.
Darrell Ellsworth Hoover, 75, of 2620 Pine Glen Road, was pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m. at the hospital of Jameson Health System by Dr. Ira Ungar, police said. Hoover suffered massive internal injuries, police said.
According to police:
At 4:30 p.m., Hoover, who was partly disabled, was servicing a Ford backhoe.
He was attempting to charge the backhoe's battery and was standing between the front and rear wheels near the ignition switch.
Hoover failed to realize the vehicle was in gear and attempted to start it. The backhoe moved forward, knocked Hoover to the ground, ran over him and crushed him, police said.
Hoover was found by family members a short time later, police said.