A spokeswoman for Jersey City's department of public safety said the accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. in the city's downtown area.

The 1-pound tape measure became dislodged from the belt of a worker on the 50th floor and struck construction equipment about 10 to 15 feet from the ground, spokeswoman Carly Baldwin said.

It then ricocheted and struck 58-year-old Gary Anderson, who had just stopped to speak with another worker who was in a pickup truck.

A police report listed Anderson as working for Charlotte, North Carolina-based National Gypsum.

Anderson, of Somerdale in southern New Jersey, was taken to a hospital, where he died shortly before 10 a.m.

Anderson wasn't wearing a hard hat but had one in his truck at the time, according to the police report.

A spokeswoman for the company said he was delivering National Gypsum's product at the time of the accident but was employed by an independent trucking company.

Officials said two 50-story residential towers and an attached hotel are being built at the site of the accident.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC