Wisconsin Pizza Factory Worker Crushed to Death by Robotic Machine in Tragic Accident

WEST MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A 45-year-old employee at Palermo’s Pizza manufacturing facility in West Milwaukee was killed Wednesday morning after being crushed by a robotic machine in what authorities are calling a “terrible accident.”

Worker Identified as Robert Cherone

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Robert Cherone. Police and fire crews responded to the factory on Sept. 17 after receiving reports of an industrial accident.

“Life-saving measures were attempted; however, a 45-year-old male was subsequently pronounced dead on scene,” the West Milwaukee Police Department said in a statement.

Operations Halted After Fatal Accident

According to employees, staff at the factory were sent home for the day following Cherone’s death. The company contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has since launched an investigation into the incident.

Rebecca Schimke, a spokesperson for Palermo’s Pizza, said the company is cooperating fully with investigators.

“The tragic accident that took an employee’s life earlier today is a terrible incident that is being fully investigated,” Schimke said. “Palermo’s will be supporting the employee’s family and offering counseling services to the Palermo’s team during this difficult time.”

Union Leaders Call for Safety

Although workers at the Palermo facility are not unionized, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale issued a statement expressing solidarity.

“This tragic incident underscores the need for everyone involved in our workplaces — workers, employers, and government agencies — to work together aggressively to ensure that every person who goes to work to provide for themselves and their family comes home safely at the end of the day,” Bloomingdale said.

Investigation Underway

OSHA and local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the accident. Palermo’s Pizza has pledged transparency as officials work to determine how a machine designed for efficiency turned deadly.

The death of Robert Cherone has deeply shaken the West Milwaukee community and raised urgent questions about workplace safety in manufacturing facilities. For more Wisconsin workplace safety and labor news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.