Condition Of Man Injured By Firework Stabilizes: Police

CARY, IL — The condition of a 58-year-old man seriously injured after a commercial grade firework exploded in his face has stabilized, authorities said Wednesday.

The man was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center following the Sunday incident near Cary, and remains in critical condition, Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy chief Christopher Covelli told Patch. He could face criminal charges since the firework he shot off is illegal to possess without a permit.

"As of yesterday he stabilized, but remains in critical condition," Covelli said Wednesday morning.

The man sustained major injuries to his head after he attempted to light a commercially rated firework, which initially did not detonate, at a gathering in the 24400 block of Hickory Nut Grove Road in unincorporated Cary at about 9:15 p.m. Sunday. The man looked into the tube housing of the firework when it discharged, exploding in his face, authorities said.

When deputies arrived, the man was going in and out of consciousness, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. He suffered major head injuries and became unconscious before he was transported to Condell Medical Center in critical condition.

There were several unexploded commercial grade fireworks, which require a permit to possess, at the party. Deputies collected those fireworks, which were transferred to the Waukegan Bomb Squad for destruction.