Worker dies at American Dream, weeks before mega mall opens

EAST RUTHERFORD — Little more than two weeks before the long-awaited opening of American Dream, federal officials are investigating the death of a worker at the mega mall complex.

State Police say 37-year-old Eric Papenfuhs, of Hampton in Hunterdon County, was operating a Bobcat utility vehicle on a ground level parking deck when he struck a parked flatbed trailer on Wednesday around 2:15 p.m.

Papenfuhs was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

A spokeswoman with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration previously said Papenfuhs was an employee of Sentinel Services, which has no prior history with OSHA.

Under law, OSHA has up to six months to complete its review of the on-site death.

After years of delays and issues, the American Dream complex is slated for a grand opening on Oct. 25.

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