Idiot of the Week: Man Hit By Fireworks Mortar

Here's the final fireworks fool for the idiot of the week. Even more foolish and idiotic because personal fireworks are banned in Maryland. But this idiot bought them anyway, and during an attempt to light fireworks in a mortar tube lost his life. Although I am usually sympathetic to people in accidents, when they're doing something they know is illegal, and it adversely affects them, it's hard to do that. Here's the story:

MD Man Hit By Fireworks Mortar In Chest Dies: Fire Marshal

Deb Belt,Patch Staff, Jul 6, 2023

WALDORF, MD — A man hit in the chest when fireworks detonated in a mortar tube at a Waldorf home died Wednesday night, the state fire marshal said. The fatal accident happened when a group of friends were setting off fireworks behind a residence.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim.

A deputy state fire marshal and the Charles County Sheriff's Office responded to Bannister Circle in Waldorf on the report that someone was injured by a firework detonation. The explosion happened about 9 p.m.

The victim, a 20-year-old man, suffered hand and chest injuries. He was taken to Charles Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, a news release said.

"Fireworks have been a long tradition of many celebrations. Please make safety your number one priority so everyone can go home safe. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the many public fireworks displays throughout the state," said State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci.