Crime & Safety
Snowplow Hits Couple Outside Sparta Library
Library employee Diane Lapsley, 60, seriously hurt and husband suffers minor injuries after town dump truck backs into them.
Two people were injured when they were struck by a snowplow Monday afternoon outside the Sparta library, police said.
Library employee Diane Lapsley, 60, of Flanders, was seriously hurt with head, back and leg injuries, according to Sgt. John-Paul Beebe. Her husband, Donald, suffered bruises and contusions and was released from the hospital.
According to Beebe, the couple left the library and entered the parking lot where they walked behind and was struck by the rear of a Sparta Department of Public Works dump truck that was backing up while sanding the lot.
The couple was transported to Morristown Medical Center where Diane Lapsley was listed in fair condition Tuesday morning, Beebe said.
Paul J. Austin, 31, was operating the 2001 Ford Mason dump truck and there was no evidence that alcohol, drugs or reckless driving were factors in the accident, Beebe said.
Officers Craig Grauerholz and Brian Hassloch, certified accident reconstructionists, are continuing to investigate the crash.
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