A 22-year-old from Maine lost his life during the Fourth of July weekend when fireworks prematurely exploded on his head.
According to NBC Chicago, the incident happened Saturday evening while Devon Staples was partying with friends. While celebrating the patriotic holiday, he placed firework mortars on his head to set them off. He was killed instantly when they exploded earlier than expected.
In 2011, the state repealed a 1942 law that banned fireworks. Lawmakers argued the legalization of fireworks would bring more jobs to citizens and raise revenue. Staples' is the first fireworks death in the state since the repeal. Police are also investigating other incidents that happened in Friendship, Jefferson, Lebanon and Woodstock.
Source: NBC Chicago | Photo Credit: Splash News
