Heavy machinery falls, kills 24-year-old worker in Warren

Family and friends are mourning Warren, who died in an on-the-job accident

The investigation into the death of Matthew McCoy remains ongoing. Warren fire officials are calling the incident that occurred at DPR Manufacturing in Warren an “industrial accident.”

WARREN, Mich. (FOX 2) – A young man died after heavy equipment fell on him while he was working at a metal plant in Warren.

Warren Fire Department officials are calling the incident that occurred Friday afternoon at DPR Manufacturing an “industrial accident.”

The victim, Matthew McCoy, 24, of Warren, had worked at the center for about four years, his sister Jami Reiterman told FOX 2. The siblings lived together, and Reiterman played a significant role in raising her younger brother.

“He was nice. Always nice. He always walked through the door and asked how my day was,” she said. “He was the only person who ever did it.”

Matthew McCoy. (Provided by Jamie Reiterman)

The investigation into McCoy’s death remains ongoing; the family is waiting for the results and mourning his loss.

He is described as an extremely generous person who always puts his family first.

“If people needed money, he always helped them. He truly was just the greatest person in the world,” Reiterman said. “He loved video games and drawing. He always drew pictures. He continued to draw. He would come home from work and just draw for hours and just watch TV.”

According to the company’s website, McCoy’s loved ones said he truly enjoys his job at DPR Manufacturing, a family-owned company that specializes in steel, stainless steel and aluminum products.

“He was a mechanic, so he operated some machinery… He painted parts a lot,” Reiterman said. “He loved his job. He really loved her. He would come home and talk about all the cool things he was working on (e.g. props for the Barbie movie premiere) and he was always excited about his work.”

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) continues to investigate workplace deaths.

“MIOSHA is unable to provide information regarding an ongoing investigation. Typically, this type of investigation can take several weeks or months,” according to a statement provided to FOX 2. “Our records indicate there have been no prior inspections for this employer.”

While family and friends wait for official updates on the accident’s progress, Reiterman’s best friend, Tara Bachynski, has taken it upon herself to create a GoFundMe to help with burial services.

The collection can be found here.

“I have a little brother and I could never, ever imagine that. So for (Reiterman) to have to deal with that… Not only that, but she has other things on her mind in life. I don’t know how it doesn’t lie on the ground. People have their own demons that they fight every day that no one knows about,” Bachynski said.