Charges filed in Antioch Township fireworks explosion that injured woman
A large firework mistaken for a candle exploded in a woman's hand Saturday night at a home near Antioch, leaving her and two others injured and a Woodstock man facing criminal charges.
Justin R. Kennedy, 28, of the 1200 block of Blakely Street, is charged with felony reckless conduct and misdemeanor endangering the life or health of a child stemming from the explosion.
Lake County Sheriff's police said Kennedy brought the firework, which was approximately the size of a quarter-stick of dynamite, to a gathering Saturday at a home in the 21800 block of West North Avenue in Antioch Township.
A 30-year-old Woodstock woman picked up the red, white and blue firework believing it was a candle, lit it and then held it in her hand before it exploded, sheriff's police said.
The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment to an injury that could cause her to lose a hand, Antioch Fire Batallion Chief Joe DuShane said Saturday. A child and another adult who suffered minor injuries were treated at the scene.
Kennedy was held in the Lake County jail overnight then released on a $20,000 recognizance bond after appearing in court Sunday morning. He is due back in court Oct. 25 on the charges, the most serious of which is punishable by a maximum one to three years in prison.
Lake County Sheriff's detectives notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about the explosion, officials said.