Teen worker taking out garbage behind NY doughnut shop falls into uncovered sewage pit, dies

NY teen dumping garbage falls in sewage pit, dies

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. — Investigators say a snowplow might have jarred loose the cover of a sewage pit where a teenage doughnut shop worker fell and died.

Amiri Zeqiri slipped into an open cesspool behind a Dunkin’ Donuts Sunday night in Smithtown, about 40 miles east of New York City.

Police said there usually was a manhole cover over the cesspool, a hole that collects waste from toilets and sinks.

The teen’s younger cousin realized something was wrong when Zeqiri didn’t return and went to look for him.

The cousin found Zeqiri in about 8 feet of water and ran to a nearby store for help. Police said when he returned the 17-year-old was no longer visible.

Officers pulled the teen from the cesspool and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.