Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Acting Paterson Police Chief Bert Ribeiro
announce that at approximately 8:55 a.m. on February 4, 2023, members of the Paterson Police
Department responded to the Covanta Sanitation Company located at 30 Fulton Street in
Paterson, New Jersey in response to a reported motor vehicle accident. Upon their arrival,
officers learned that an employee, Walter Mercado McWhorter, 66 years-old from Paterson, was
struck by a truck at the facility. McWhorter succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced
deceased at the scene.
No charges have been filed at this time, however the investigation remains active and ongoing.
More information will be released once it becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact
the Paterson Police Department at 973-321-1111.
