According to Suffolk County Police, the incident occurred at approximately 10:42 a.m. at the department’s impound yard located at 100 Old Country Road. Authorities said a 57-year-old DPW employee was working atop scaffolding when the structure suddenly gave way, causing him to fall an estimated 20 feet to the ground.
The worker sustained serious injuries and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment.
His current condition has not been publicly disclosed.
Detectives from the Seventh Squad are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also been notified. In cases involving serious workplace injuries, OSHA typically launches an on-site inspection to determine whether safety standards were followed. This process often includes reviewing equipment, interviewing witnesses, and examining whether proper fall protection, training, and inspections were in place.
The incident took place at the Suffolk County Police Department’s impound facility, a large site that stores thousands of vehicles involved in investigations, seizures, and accidents.
The location is also known for hosting public vehicle auctions throughout the year, where cars, trucks, and motorcycles are sold to bidders during scheduled events. As investigations continue, officials have not yet released details about what work was being performed on the scaffolding at the time of the collapse.
Anyone with information on this incident to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.