Jason Pierre-Paul Joins Unfortunate List Of July 4th Fireworks Accidents

Jason Pierre-Paul’s NFL career may have gone up in smoke after a crushing July 4 accident involving fireworks resulted in the amputation of his index finger. But compared to other victims of fireworks accidents reported across the U.S.A. last week, maybe Pierre-Paul got off easy in the end.

In Calais, Maine, ABC News reported that a 22-year old young man died instantly when he tried to launch a firework off the top of his head.

“Apparently, he thought that was a great idea,” Stephen McCausland, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety said. “His friends they thought dissuaded him from doing it, and the next thing they knew, he ignited the fireworks and he was killed instantly.”

And while the act in and of itself sounds too incredible to believe, the victim’s brother Cody insisted that it was merely an accident.

“Devon was not the kind of person who would do something stupid. He was the kind of person who would pretend to do something stupid to make people laugh,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Star reported that two men perished in Indiana in separate fireworks accidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend after sustaining significant trauma to the head from the explosives. James Drake, 41, was killed Saturday night when he went to check on a firework shell that had not fired when expected.

“I think he approached one, and it went off and struck him in the face,” said Grant County Coroner Chris Butche, who ruled Drake’s cause of death accidental.

Jose Magallanes, 44, was also found dead late Sunday morning after officers arrived on the scene and found the victim dead of explosion injuries. The County Coroner also ruled Jose’s death an accident.

And Jason Pierre-Paul wasn’t the only NFL star to report devastating 4th of July injuries. Tampa Bay Buccaneer cornerback C.J. Wilson lost two fingers in a fireworks accident, as reported by Inquisitr.

“We are aware that C.J. was involved in an accident that occurred over the July 4th holiday,” the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said in a statement. “It is our understanding that the injury occurred to one of his hands and our primary concern at this moment is for his long-term health. We have been in contact with C.J. and are continuing to monitor the situation.”

Jason Pierre-Paul and C.J. Wilson’s futures in the NFL are now in doubt thanks to these 4th of July fireworks accidents. At least they can take comfort in knowing they weren’t alone.

[Photo credit: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images]