USPS Worker Found Dead After Being Trapped Inside Mail-Sorting Machine for 8 Hours at Detroit Distribution Center

ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN — A tragic workplace accident at a U.S. Postal Service distribution facility in metro Detroit has left a longtime employee dead after he was reportedly trapped inside a mail-sorting machine for an estimated eight hours before being discovered.

Authorities identified the victim as 36-year-old Nicholas John Acker, a Dearborn native who later lived in Trenton. Police say Acker worked as a maintenance technician at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park, one of the largest mail-handling facilities in the region.

Employee Found After Lengthy Shift

According to the Allen Park Police Department, officers responded to the facility on Saturday, November 8, 2025, after employees discovered Acker’s body inside one of the center’s large industrial mail-sorting machines.

Investigators believe Acker became trapped sometime during his maintenance shift, though how the accident occurred and why it went unnoticed for so long remain under investigation.

The Detroit Network Distribution Center, located on Oakwood Boulevard, handles massive volumes of mail daily and houses high-capacity conveyors, sorters, and automated equipment that operate around the clock.

Family’s Search for Answers

Acker’s fiancée, Stephanie Jaszcz, told investigators she became alarmed when he failed to return home from his shift. After hours without contact, she drove to the facility and waited outside, desperate for information.

Police later confirmed that Acker had likely been caught in the machinery for several hours before being found. Authorities have not yet determined whether mechanical failure, human error, or a safety lapse contributed to the tragedy.

Investigation Ongoing

Allen Park Police and federal workplace safety officials are treating the incident as accidental, pending the results of their ongoing review. Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are also expected to examine the site for potential safety violations.

USPS has not yet released an official statement, but employees at the facility have described the atmosphere as “devastated” and “heartbroken” following the discovery.

Remembering Nicholas John Acker

Acker, described by his family as a devoted son, brother, uncle, and fiancé, was known for his dedication to his work and love for his community.

Born and raised in Dearborn, Acker graduated from local schools before joining the Postal Service, where he worked for several years in maintenance operations.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Voran Funeral Home, with visitation scheduled for Thursday, November 13, and services to be held Friday at the Taylor Chapel, followed by burial at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery.

Community Shock and Safety Concerns

The incident has reignited concerns among postal workers and unions about workplace safety protocols in large sorting centers, where machinery operates continuously under tight production schedules.

Friends and co-workers have since expressed grief and frustration, calling for “immediate safety audits” to prevent future tragedies.

As the investigation continues, Allen Park authorities say they remain committed to determining how such a catastrophic failure could occur in a facility that processes millions of pieces of mail every day.

Stay connected with NapervilleLocal.com for verified updates on this developing story and ongoing workplace safety investigations.