Current:Home > ContactMan dies of 'massive head trauma' after lighting firework off Uncle Sam top hat on July 4th -Smart Capital Blueprint
Man dies of 'massive head trauma' after lighting firework off Uncle Sam top hat on July 4th
View
Date:2025-04-25 10:41:10
A man's death has been ruled an accident after he lit a firework off of his Uncle Sam top hat on the Fourth of July, a South Carolina coroner told USA TODAY Monday.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, died Thursday afternoon while celebrating the holiday outside his home in Summerville, a town about 25 miles northwest of Charleston, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office reported last week.
Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers said McGrew died due to "massive head trauma with cerebral avulsion" and ruled his death an accident.
An autopsy "was not necessary" on the victim, however Brothers said toxicology results are pending in the case. Results form those test are expected to be returned within 12 weeks, the coroner said Monday.
Another year of fireworks injuries and deaths
McGrew's death was among dozens of reported fireworks-related injuries and fatalities reported across the nation during this year's Fourth of July festivities.
Extreme heat death:Motorcyclist dies in Death Valley from extreme heat, 5 others treated
Sheriff's report previous
According to sheriff's office incident report obtained by USA TODAY on the day of the accident, deputies responded to the scene just before 10:30 p.m. for a report of a suspicious death.
In the report, deputies said Paige McGrew told them couple was hosting a block party and her husband "started drinking around 6 p.m."
The victim's wife reported she watched her husband place a firework on his head, "which she believes was done to show off," a deputy wrote in the report.
The victim's wife said "she was trying to tell Allen not to do that when the firework went off and she observed Allen collapse."
Paramedics responded and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
USA TODAY has reached out to the victim's family.
Child fatally shot in Maryland:6-year-old boy dies after shooting at July Fourth gathering, suspect at large
Witnesses said victim wore top hat, and put the firework on top of the hat before lighting it
Allen's wife said he wore an Uncle Sam star-spangled suit and a matching top hat before the blast took place, adding he "ultimately died doing what he loved," the local Post and Courier reported.
A video of Allen shared by the outlet shows him dressed in the costume with the colorful hat on his head, smoking a cigarette in a yard outside a home.
"I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it," she told the outlet. “Allen loved this holiday... He was a patriot; he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night."
'Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol'
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the nation and eight people died from fireworks-related accidents.
This year's stats were not immediately available.
To safely use fireworks, the National Safety Council recommends watching them at public displays conducted by professionals and not using them at home.
If you set off fireworks at home, the council recommends tips including the following:
- Do not use illegal fireworks.
- Never allow children to handle fireworks.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Wear eye protection.
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands;
- Use fireworks only away from people, houses and flammable material
- Light only one device at a time and maintain a safe distance.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Never relight or handle a malfunctioning firework.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (4795)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe says J.K. Rowling’s anti-Trans views make him 'sad'
- Ryan Gosling and Mikey Day return as Beavis and Butt-Head at 'The Fall Guy' premiere
- St. Louis school district will pay families to drive kids to school amid bus driver shortage
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Travis Kelce Reacts to Jaw-Dropping Multi-Million Figure of His New Contract
- More than half of cats died after drinking raw milk from bird flu-infected cows
- Get Free IT Cosmetics Skincare & Makeup, 65% Off Good American, $400 Off iRobot & More Deals
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Potential serial killer arrested after 2 women found dead in Florida
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Harvey Weinstein to return to court Wednesday after his NY rape conviction was overturned
- Northwestern, Brown University reach deals with student demonstrators to curb protests
- Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey’s Twins Look All Grown Up on 13th Birthday
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- 9-year-old's heroic act saves parents after Oklahoma tornado: Please don't die, I will be back
- What time is the Kentucky Derby? Everything you need to know about this year's race
- White House considers welcoming some Palestinians from war-torn Gaza as refugees
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Marcus Outzen dies: Former Florida State quarterback started national title game
Police fatally shoot a man who sliced an officer’s face during a scuffle
Increasingly Frequent Ocean Heat Waves Trigger Mass Die-Offs of Sealife, and Grief in Marine Scientists
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Cheryl Burke Sets the Record Straight on Past Comments Made About Dancing With the Stars
Potential shooter 'neutralized' outside Wisconsin middle school Wednesday, authorities say
Alabama committee advances ban on LGBTQ+ pride flags in classrooms