Hardyston man killed by plow

By Nathan Mayberg
HARDYSTON — A privately-owned dump truck plowing snow on Tuesday afternoon struck and killed an 83-year-old Hardyston man, police say.

Nicholas Verduin was picking up mail from the community mailboxes at the Bracken Hill Section of Crystal Springs at about 2:25 p.m. when he was hit by the vehicle.

Geoffrey Stewart, 52, of Hardyston, was behind the wheel of a 2012 Dodge Ram when he backed up and struck Verduin with his vehicle, according to a statement issued by Hardyston Police Lt. Robert Zicarelli.

Stewart was cleaning streets in Crystal Springs for Mountain View Landscaping, the owner of the truck.

Verduin was declared dead at the scene.

No charges have been issued as of Thursday, though the case is still under investigation by the Hardyston Police Department, Sussex County Prosecutor's Office and Sussex County Sheriff's Department Crash Investigation Team.