A family in Southern California is grappling with the ramifications of a fireworks explosion that resulted in life-altering injuries to their father, whom they met for the first time. It’s a heartbreaking situation, really.
The incident occurred in Chino on July 4, where a fireworks explosion tragically took the life of a woman in her 20s, injured multiple others, and caused a vehicle to catch fire after the fireworks were set off.
Franchi Lopez, who had just welcomed her first child, was identified as one of the victims. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support her family during this difficult time.
According to the fundraising page, the explosion left the father with second-degree burns, a ruptured eardrum, and hearing loss.
Lopez’s car was destroyed in the blast along with nearly all of his possessions, leaving his family to express their sorrow at the extent of the damage.
They mentioned that he had recently relocated to Oregon to embark on a new journey, which took a devastating turn during what was supposed to be a celebratory weekend.
“His car caught fire, making it unusable and destroying almost everything he owned aside from a few clothes he had stored at his mother’s home,” they noted in their fundraising message.
He was airlifted from Pomona Hospital to a burn center in Orange, California, where he is currently receiving medical care for his injuries.
His family shared that this tragedy has “changed his life forever,” leaving him with overwhelming medical expenses and the daunting task of starting over.
In their message, they described him as a dedicated son, brother, and father, always striving to support his loved ones. “Despite these challenges, he’s determined to recover and care for his son,” they added.
Authorities suspect that a significant amount of fireworks ignited, leading to the explosion that set a nearby vehicle on fire.
Derion Tradon James Jr., 28, from Hesperia, was apprehended at the scene during the investigation and has since been charged with manslaughter.
In the aftermath of the explosion, four individuals—including three adults and one juvenile—were hospitalized. Reports indicate that detectives believe the ignition of a large quantity of fireworks caused the blast. The investigation remains ongoing.
