A single father of one has suffered devastating, life-altering injuries following a fireworks explosion on the Fourth of July in Chino, California. The blast killed a woman in her 20s and injured several others, while also igniting a nearby vehicle.
Franki Lopez, who had recently become a father, was identified by his family as one of the victims. According to a GoFundMe campaign established by his family, Lopez sustained second-degree burns, ruptured eardrums, and hearing loss as a result of the explosion. His car was also destroyed in the incident, rendering it inoperable and damaging nearly all of his belongings.
Lopez had recently relocated to Oregon to start a new chapter before the holiday tragedy. His family stated that he was airlifted from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center to a burn center in Orange, California, where he is currently receiving treatment for his wounds.
The family described the incident as a tragedy that has turned his life upside down, leaving him with significant medical bills and the daunting task of rebuilding his life from scratch. Despite the severity of his injuries, Lopez is described by his family as strong and determined to recover and care for his son.
Authorities believe a large quantity of fireworks ignited, triggering the explosion and the subsequent fire in a nearby vehicle. Investigators have since detained Derion Tradon James Jr., 28, of Hesperia, who was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Four individuals, including three adults and one juvenile, were transported to a hospital following the incident. The Chino Police Department confirmed that the explosion caused a vehicle fire. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is ongoing.