Fatal Workplace Accident Under Investigation at Garden City Laundry Facility; Victim Identified as 42-Year-Old Baldwin Man

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Close-up view of a person’s hand inspecting the control buttons on an industrial trash compactor, showing safety switches and indicator lights.
A worker examines the control panel of an industrial trash compactor similar to the one involved in a fatal accident at Arrow Linen Supply Company in Garden City, where a 42-year-old employee was killed after falling into the machine. File photo: Bill Mckeon, licensed.

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Nassau County Police are investigating a fatal workplace accident that occurred Thursday night, October 23, 2025, at Arrow Linen Supply Company Inc., located at 615 South Street in Garden City.

According to detectives, officers responded to the commercial laundry facility at approximately 10:14 p.m. after receiving a report that an employee had fallen into a trash compactor. The victim, identified as Michael Rutledge, 42, of Baldwin, was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.

The Nassau County Homicide Squad is conducting an active investigation into the incident in coordination with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatality.

No additional details have been released at this time pending the outcome of the joint investigation.

Key Facts & Details

CategoryInformation
Incident TypeFatal Workplace Accident
Date & TimeThursday, October 23, 2025 – 10:14 PM
LocationArrow Linen Supply Company Inc., 615 South Street, Garden City, NY
VictimMichael Rutledge, 42, of Baldwin
Incident DescriptionEmployee reportedly fell into a trash compactor at a commercial laundry facility
Responding AgencyNassau County Police Department – Homicide Squad
Investigating PartnersOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
StatusInvestigation ongoing
Pronounced ByHospital physician at a local medical facility
Public Safety NoteNo threat to the public; appears to be an isolated workplace accident
Important: This story is categorized as a crime story and thus it is important to note that charges are accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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