Man hit, killed while working on back of garbage truck in church parking lot

ORLANDO, Fla. — A City of Orlando Waste Management truck was involved in a fatal crash in a church parking lot near the intersection of Cottage Hill Road and Fitzgerald Drive, officers said.

Two employees had just finished emptying a dumpster at Carter Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Officers said the driver continued on his route, and then realized his co-worker, Brandon Bristol, 26, was not on the back of the truck.

Officials said the driver circled back and found Bristol on the ground by the church dumpster.

Authorities said it appeared Bristol was hit and killed by the truck at some point during their morning duties of emptying dumpsters.

A friend told WFTV Bristol was recently married and did not have children.

At this point, police said they believe it was an accident.

"It's going to be hard, but I know we'll get through this," said Bristol's friend Yolonda Kelly.

The driver, Reginald Virgil, did not want to comment about the tragic incident.

WFTV