Illegal fireworks cause injury

A woman was injured by illegal fireworks early Saturday morning in Poplar.

According to the report:

Krystal McKay, 25, and her boyfriend Benjamin Ferriere, 32, had been lighting mortar-style fireworks in the backyard, according to a Douglas County Sheriff’s Department report by Deputy Dan Howe. Both had consumed several alcoholic beverages prior to the incident.

Ferriere lit a round and placed it in the launch tube he was holding. The next thing he knew he saw McKay get hit with the mortar. It exploded very close to her and caused her to lose consciousness for about a minute.

Ferriere carried McKay to the sidewalk by the road. She received a major wound to her right hand that appeared to be very deep, as well as minor cuts to the face and neck area. She was transported to a Duluth hospital via Gold Cross Ambulance.

Ferriere told Howe he found the mortar-style fireworks in the closet and decided to use them. He did not realize they were illegal without a permit.

Howe told the Poplar man he could at least expect a citation for use of illegal fireworks.

Tags: douglas county, news, health