PERRIS: Man severely injured after fireworks explosion at Copper Creek Park

PERRIS — Authorities say a 20-year-old Perris man was seriously injured after he lit a sky-burst mortar at City of Perris’ Copper Creek Park, Tuesday evening, June 26. The firework exploded in the man’s hands, according to sheriff and fire officials. The park is located at 217 Citrus Ave., northeast of N. Perris Blvd. and E. Nuevo Rd., in Perris.

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Deputies assigned to Perris Police Department, Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters, and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the park just after 7:15 p.m., after receiving reports of an explosion, Riverside Sergeant William Davis explained after the incident.

When officials arrived they found a Hispanic male “with severe trauma to his hands and abdomen,” said Davis.

After firefighter/paramedics stabilizing the victim, American Medical Response medics transported the man by ground ambulance to Riverside University Health System’s Trauma Center for further treatment of his injuries.

Deputies investigating the explosion determined the man was injured when he lit a mortar-style pyrotechnic device near a drainage ditch along the south end of the 7.4 acre park. Moments after lighting the mortar it exploded, causing the victim’s injuries.

Based on the circumstances, the Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team was contacted and will be conducting further investigation into the incident.

Davis took the opportunity to remind Perris residents that all fireworks, even Safe and Sane brand, are illegal in Perris and throughout Riverside County.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Guilford at the Perris Police Department at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PE181770129 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.