Fatal leap onto dump truck

A HOMELESS MAN who tried to hitch a ride on the side of a dump truck in the Bronx died early Tuesday when he fell underneath the vehicle, police said.

The victim suffered massive head trauma when he was run over by the truck’s rear wheels on Jerome Ave. and E. Gun Hill Road in Norwood at 5:05 a.m., cops said.

The 33-year-old driver of the 2010 Peterbilt dump truck told police he was traveling east on W. Gun Hill Road and was about to turn onto Jerome Ave. when the stranger jumped onto the step board under the passenger side door.

He grabbed onto the right sideview mirror as the truck turned, but lost his balance and fell under the rear wheels, cops said.

The victim was in his mid-30s, and was believed to be a local homeless man, police sources said. His name was not released. The truck driver remained at the scene and was not charged, cops said.