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Fireworks horror: Teen's life forever changed
3 Jul
Summary
- A 17-year-old suffered severe injuries from malfunctioning fireworks.
- Injuries included brain bleeding, hearing loss, and vision impairment.
- He now warns others about pyrotechnic dangers before holidays.
A Miami Gardens teen, Lamont Braithwaite, is sharing his harrowing experience with fireworks to prevent similar tragedies ahead of the Fourth of July. In 2024, at just 17 years old, Braithwaite was celebrating with family when a large box of fireworks malfunctioned.
The resulting explosion ignited his hair and caused severe injuries. He spent three weeks hospitalized, suffering partial bleeding on his brain, hearing impairment, and vision loss. A forehead injury necessitated surgery, including the placement of a metal plate and screws.
His mother, Tamika, expressed relief at his full recovery but stressed the importance of adult supervision and caution with fireworks, noting she almost lost her only child. Braithwaite himself stated he will not handle fireworks this year and is focused on his future, planning to attend college for architecture.
State health officials confirm that many fireworks-related injuries involve teenagers using commercially available pyrotechnics.
