CAPE ELIZABETH (AP) — The former director of Cape Elizabeth’s public works department has died after a vehicle backed into him and pushed him into a trash compactor at the town’s recycling center.

The compactor was not operating when 79-year-old Herbert Dennison was knocked into it at about 10:30 a.m. Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The SUV that struck Dennison was driven by a 72-year-old woman. Police say they are looking into possible mechanical problems with her vehicle, or the possibility that she stepped on the gas instead of the brake. Once the police investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office, which will determine whether to bring charges.

Dennison served as Cape Elizabeth’s director of public works from 1966 until retirement in 1981.