BY ELISABETHWALDON

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP — Three Howard City- area teenagers are recovering from a fireworks accident that blew up their car, injured two and sent a third to the hospital with burns all over his body. Dylan Bogucki, 17, of Howard City remains hospitalized at the Spectrum Health System’s Blodgett Campus in Grand Rapids while Jessie Benedict and Shane Betten, both of Howard City, received minor injuries. Howard City police officers Steve De Witt and Trent Moeggenberg responded to the incident at 9:47 p.m. July 3 at the intersec-tion of Amy School and Lake Montcalm roads in R e y n o l d s Township. Bogucki had been rid-ing in the rear of a Dodge four-door vehicle while Betten was driving and Benedict was a front-seat passenger. According to De Witt, the three were driving around throwing illegal fireworks out the car windows when Bogucki dropped a lighter into a bag of fireworks in the back seat. “ The other two heard him yell and then there was a massive explosion,” De Witt said. “ They were using massive fireworks. We’re talking M-1000s.” The vehicle continued about 500 feet after the blast, which blew out its windows and raised the roof about 10 inches higher than normal. Howard City fire and rescue and Montcalm County Emergency Medical Services all responded to the scene. Bogucki received first- and second-degree burns on his face, third- degree burns on his left arm and left side, an injury to his left eye and a deep muscle bruise on his left leg, according to his mother, Pam. She said he is expected to be released from the hospital Monday. Pam Bogucki said from her understanding her son lit a fire-work and was attempting to throw it out the window but the window wouldn’t open. She and her husband, David, were camp-

ng in the Upper Peninsula at the time of the incident. The Michigan State Police came to their tent to inform them of the incident. “Even in the emergency room he was saying, ‘ Boy, I can’t believe I did something so stu-pid,’” Pam Bogucki said. “We just figure he has been punished enough already and he doesn’t need any more lectures. I think he knows never to do that again.” Benedict and Betten were unavailable for comment. All three will be seniors at Tri County High School in the fall. “ The basic law in Michigan is if it explodes or flies it’s illegal,” De Witt said of state fireworks regulations.

Staff writer ELISABETHWALDON can be reached at ewaldon@staffordgroup.com or (616) 754-9303 ext. 3065.

Submitted on 07/17/2006

Submitted by: Andrew O'Donald
Reference: The Daily News July 15 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I imagine we'll be getting a spate of fireworks-related stories in this post July 4th period, but this is the first one I've seen in a while, and it IS pretty stupid! All were willing participants, and all meet the minimum age requirement, so I'll let it slide!

Fitzroy said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I concur here. It looks like the only people hurt were the pyrotechnic users themselves, and this is a cut above the generic fireworks mishap.

Jorge said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common

Sheryl said:
Maybe Toss: Lacks Excellence
Dare I say "typical but stupid male teens"? While I like the story, I just can't see enough excellence in it even for an HM.

Becky said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I take it that some parts are paraphrasing. It's a bit unique, but then again, we've seen simaler ones before.

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