A 19-year-old man was killed in a workplace accident over the weekend after falling into a meat grinder at a California food processing facility.
According to the Vernon Police Department, the young victim, whose identity has not been revealed, worked on the sanitation team at Tina’s Burritos, which is located in the 2600 block of Vernon Avenue.
Officials said the Los Angeles County Fire Department was dispatched to assist with what was described as a “fatal industrial accident” involving a male subject discovered in the meat grinder, also known as an industrial-grade kettle.
Authorities said the fatal accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. and is being treated as a “industrial mishap,” as the victim was cleaning an industrial food processor when it unexpectedly turned on.
Other factory workers told KABC that they could hear his cries for help and attempted to turn off the machine, but were unsuccessful. By the time officers arrived at the factory, the man had died.
The company confirmed the tragic incident to Fox News Digital, describing it as a “devastating loss.”
“We are heartbroken to confirm that a sanitation worker died on Sunday night, July 13, 2025, while performing sanitation duties at our Vernon facility.
He was cleaning an empty kettle that was being sanitized and prepared for the next day’s production run, according to a company statement. “Despite the immediate response of coworkers and emergency personnel, he tragically passed away at the scene.”
The company also stated that their “hearts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and worked alongside him.”
“This is a terrible loss for everyone at Tina’s. We are fully cooperating with local authorities and Cal/OSHA in the ongoing investigation, and our primary goal remains to honor his life, support those who are grieving, and maintain the highest safety standards in our facility,” the statement concluded.
Detectives from the bureau are also investigating the incident, and no foul play is suspected.
Officials from the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also helping with the investigation.
Vernon is located about five miles south of downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County.
