Rhode Island

Rhode Island man died after firework set off on his head, police say

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2024

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Rhode Island man died after firework set off on his head, police say

Local News

A recent autopsy report following the Mother’s Day incident shows the man died of a “blast injury.”

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 159 fireworks-related deaths between 2008 and 2023, for an average of 9.9 deaths per year. Mass. State Police

A 39-year-old man was killed on May 12 when a mortar-style firework was placed on his head and set off, according to police in Westerly, Rhode Island.

A recent autopsy report of David Ziegenfuss lists the cause of death as a “blast injury” to the head and the manner of death as accidental, Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella told the Providence Journal. Those involved in the incident were drinking alcohol, he said.

“It appears they were messing around, and they placed a firework on top of his head,” the chief told the Journal.

An investigation into the circumstances of the death at the home at Pound Road continues, Gingerella said.

The mix of high-risk activity with alcohol use is dangerous, Gingerella said.

“The involvement of alcohol increases the dangers of illegal activities exponentially,” Gingerella told the Journal.

The mortar-type firework used is illegal in Rhode Island.

According to the 2023 US Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Annual Report, there were eight reported fireworks-related deaths the prior year, with the majority of deaths associated with mortar-style devices. Five of those deaths were due to fireworks misuse.

The agency is reporting 159 fireworks-related deaths between 2008 and 2023, for an average of 9.9 deaths per year.

Family members set up a GoFundMe page to help with end-of-life expenses.

The page says Ziegenfuss was airlifted from Westerly to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he died.

His brother wrote that Ziegnefuss was an “adoring father to his son, a fun uncle, a listening ear and a caring shoulder. He was very loved by his family and friends.”

Gingerella said the state’s Attorney General’s office will determine any pending charges.

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Rhode Island

Wrapped Rhode Island shares summer finds for moms

Published

6 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Wrapped Rhode Island shares summer finds for moms

We love having Danielle from Wrapped Rhode Island with us on the show! Today she’s showcasing some fun summer finds and activities for you to do with your little ones this summer! If you’re looking for any gifting ideas, too – Danielle is your go-to person for gifting.

For more information on Danielle, you can follow her on Instagram here.

Rhode Show Content Disclaimer: The information, advice, and answers displayed in The Rhode Show section of WPRI.com are those of individual sponsors and guests and not WPRI-TV/Nexstar Media Group, Inc. WPRI.com presents this content on behalf of each participating Rhode Show sponsor. Sponsored content is copyrighted to its respective sponsor unless otherwise indicated.

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Rhode Island

Amtrak service between New York City, Boston restored after lightning causes malfunction

Published

13 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Amtrak service between New York City, Boston restored after lightning causes malfunction

NEW YORK (AP) — Amtrak rail service between New York and Boston was restored after a lightning strike was believed to have caused a circuit breaker to malfunction, the rail service announced Saturday night.

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Rhode Island

Estranged husband-wife dead after homicide followed by car crash during police pursuit

Published

21 hours ago

July 7, 2024

Press Room

Estranged husband-wife dead after homicide followed by car crash during police pursuit

Stephanie Francis, 44, was found dead in her Hopkinton home

RICHMOND − Two people are dead after a man shot his estranged wife on Friday, police say. He then died after crashing his car while being chased by the police the following day.

Stephanie Francis, 44, was found dead from a gunshot wound in her Hopkinton house on Friday, State Police Lt. Col. Robert Creamer wrote in a news release.

Detectives identified her estranged husband, Joseph Francis, 45, as her alleged killer and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with domestic violence murder and violating a domestic violence no-contact order. Police put out a be-on-the-lookout order for Joseph Francis and his black Chevrolet Suburban, noting he should be considered armed and dangerous, Creamer wrote.

On Saturday, at 10:50 a.m., Westerly Police Department officers spotted Joseph Francis in his Suburban on Route 1 North, near the intersection with Route 78.

Husband flees from police

“Despite multiple attempts to stop Mr. Francis, he evaded law enforcement,” Creamer wrote.

Just 46 minutes after he was first spotted in Westerly, the SUV was spotted on Route 2 North in Charlestown. Police officers from Charlestown and Richmond began to pursue him, trying to stop the vehicle. Francis then sped down Dawley Park Road and lost control at the intersection with Nooseneck Hill Road. His car went across both northbound lanes of Nooseneck Hill Road and began rolling, coming to rest on its roof at the tree line, Creamer wrote.

Charlestown and Richmond police officers did not approach the crashed SUV, instead waiting until the State Police tactical team “affirmed the safety of the scene.” When officers finally approached his car, they found him inside and medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. His cause of death is pending an autopsy, Creamer wrote.

Photos taken by the TV station WJAR, Channel 10, show the front of the vehicle to be totally destroyed.

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter

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