Spokane city recycling truck hits, kills 16-year-old boy

A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday after being struck by a city recycling truck near the intersection of Magnesium Avenue and Nevada Street in Spokane.

About 2 p.m. the truck was making a right turn onto Nevada Street with a green light, and the driver felt a thud and got out to find the young man pinned under the truck, said Spokane Police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

The teenager, whose name was not released, was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he died.

The driver has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated, said city spokeswoman Marlene Feist. He has worked for the city since March 2006.

Police ask any witnesses to the incident to call (509) 242-TIPS.