Palermo's Pizza worker crushed by robotic machine in West Milwaukee

What happened

West Milwaukee police and firefighters were called to the Palermo’s Pizza plant near 38th Street and Lincoln Avenue at about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, for a reported industrial accident. A 45-year-old employee was pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts to save him.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office told local station FOX6 that he had been crushed by a robotic machine. Officials released no further description of the equipment or the circumstances.

The system involved

The only public description is the medical examiner’s phrase, a robotic machine, at a pizza manufacturing plant. Its manufacturer, its function on the line and whether it was in production or being serviced at the time have not been reported.

Investigation and response

West Milwaukee police said the death was under investigation with the help of the medical examiner’s office and that OSHA had been contacted. A Palermo’s spokesperson said the company was investigating fully, cooperating with government officials and gathering facts, and would support the employee’s family and offer counseling to staff. The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO issued a statement of condolence and called for employers, workers and agencies to work together on safety.

What is not established

The cause has not been established publicly. No OSHA findings, citations or penalties relating to this death were located, and the current status of the investigation was not verified for this entry.