Police release name of victim, driver in garbage truck fatality at Burlington Pizza Ranch

WAUKESHA - A Pizza Ranch restaurant worker in Burlington died after he was struck by a garbage truck in the parking lot of the business Monday morning.

Burlington police on Tuesday identified the victim as Jacob Zappa, 34, of Waukesha, who was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue workers shortly after the incident, which was reported to the Racine County Communications Center at 9:53 a.m. Monday.

According to Burlington police, the truck — driven by Robert Peterson, 25, of Burlington and owned by Burlington-based ASDA Garbage and Recycling Services — was backing up as Zappa was walking toward his car in the parking lot of Pizza Ranch, 960 Milwaukee Ave.

Burlington Police Detective Sgt. Robert Jones said the while investigation is continuing, authorities at least were able to determine that a key safety device designed to warn others when the truck is moving backward was present at the time of the accident.

"A Wisconsin State Patrol heavy truck inspector was called to assist in the investigation," Jones said Tuesday. "At the conclusion of his investigation, it was found the disposal truck was found to be equipped with a functioning back-up alarm."

Based on the preliminary investigation, he added: "At this time, we are not considering criminal charges."

Still, other details — including what prevented Zappa from realizing the truck was backing toward him and why he was returning to his car — were not known as of late Tuesday afternoon.

The business had not yet opened for Monday business when the incident occurred, police noted.

Burlington Police Chief Brian Zmudzinski said Peterson and ASDA were cooperating with the investigation, which includes assistance from the Racine County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Technical Reconstruction Unit.

"Our condolences go out to the family, loved ones and co-workers of the deceased during this difficult time," Zmudzinski said in a news release.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli atjames.riccioli@jrn.com.