The Milwaukee community is mourning after a tragic workplace accident at Palermo’s Pizza claimed the life of employee Robert Cherone, 45. Authorities confirmed that Cherone was fatally injured early Wednesday morning when a robotic machine at the company’s West Lincoln Avenue facility malfunctioned, crushing him.
Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 6:30 a.m., but despite their swift arrival, Cherone could not be saved.Palermo’s Pizza released a statement describing the incident as a devastating loss, calling Cherone’s death “a terrible tragedy.”
The company pledged its full cooperation with investigators while emphasizing its commitment to supporting both Cherone’s family and its workforce. Counselors and resources have been made available to employees, many of whom remain shaken by the loss of a colleague and friend.Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Milwaukee County
Medical Examiner’s Office have launched a joint investigation into the accident. Their focus will be on determining how the malfunction occurred and whether safety measures were sufficient to prevent such a catastrophe. The findings will be critical not only for accountability but also for ensuring future worker safety in an industry that increasingly relies on automation.
Cherone’s sudden passing has left his family and community reeling. Friends and coworkers remembered him as a hardworking, dedicated individual whose presence brightened the workplace. His death underscores the risks faced by many workers in industrial settings, even in highly regulated environments.
As Palermo’s staff and the wider Milwaukee community come to terms with this heartbreaking loss, tributes continue to flow in for Cherone, honoring both his memory and his contributions. Deepest sympathy is extended to his loved ones during this painful time, as they grieve the loss of a life cut tragically short.
