Chicago Woman Loses Foot In Fireworks Accident

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jul 5, 2013 4:40PM

Although it is prohibited under the city’s Municipal Code, scores of Chicagoans take to the city’s alleys, streets, backyards and parks to create their own ad hoc fireworks displays. Here’s a cautionary tale in what can happen when setting off your own fireworks goes wrong.

A West Lawn woman who was watching a fireworks display in her neighborhood Thursday lost her foot when an errant firework flew in her direction. The woman, identified by the Chicago Tribune as 32-year-old Kristina Perez, was attending the fireworks display at West Lawn Park, a regular feature of the neighborhood’s Independence Day festivities. Her sister-in-law, Lorena Perez, suffered injuries to her leg and foot.

Lorena Perez’s brother, Fabian Carmona, told the Tribune neither woman saw the rocket coming.

“I went to look around and then I realized (Kristina) was missing her foot,” Carmona said. “She was yelling, screaming. She was saying, ‘Get an ambulance. Get an ambulance.’ ”

“Her foot was just gone. It must have exploded on her,” Carmona said.

Lorena Perez was missing a chunk of tissue from her left leg. Carmona said the family attends the West Lawn park fireworks every year and was so traumatized by what happened he doubts he’ll ever attend another one again.