A man's death has been ruled an accident after he lit a firework off of his Uncle Sam top hat on the Fourth of July, a South Carolina coroner told USA TODAY Monday.

Allen Ray McGrew, 41, died Thursday afternoon while celebrating the holiday outside his home in Summerville, a town about 25 miles northwest of Charleston, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office reported last week.

Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brouthers said McGrew died due to "massive head trauma with cerebral avulsion" and ruled his death an accident.

An autopsy "was not necessary" on the victim, however Brothers said toxicology results are pending in the case. Results form those test are expected to be returned within 12 weeks, the coroner said Monday.

Another year of fireworks injuries and deaths

McGrew's death was among dozens of reported fireworks-related injuries and fatalities reported across the nation during this year's Fourth of July festivities.

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Sheriff's report previous

According to sheriff's office incident report obtained by USA TODAY on the day of the accident, deputies responded to the scene just before 10:30 p.m. for a report of a suspicious death.

In the report, deputies said Paige McGrew told them couple was hosting a block party and her husband "started drinking around 6 p.m."

The victim's wife reported she watched her husband place a firework on his head, "which she believes was done to show off," a deputy wrote in the report.

The victim's wife said "she was trying to tell Allen not to do that when the firework went off and she observed Allen collapse."

Paramedics responded and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

USA TODAY has reached out to the victim's family.

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Witnesses said victim wore top hat, and put the firework on top of the hat before lighting it

Allen's wife said he wore an Uncle Sam star-spangled suit and a matching top hat before the blast took place, adding he "ultimately died doing what he loved," the local Post and Courier reported.

A video of Allen shared by the outlet shows him dressed in the costume with the colorful hat on his head, smoking a cigarette in a yard outside a home.

"I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it," she told the outlet. “Allen loved this holiday... He was a patriot; he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night."

'Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol'

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the nation and eight people died from fireworks-related accidents.

This year's stats were not immediately available.

To safely use fireworks, the National Safety Council recommends watching them at public displays conducted by professionals and not using them at home. 

If you set off fireworks at home, the council recommends tips including the following:

  • Do not use illegal fireworks.
  • Never allow children to handle fireworks.
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
  • Wear eye protection.
  • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands;
  • Use fireworks only away from people, houses and flammable material
  • Light only one device at a time and maintain a safe distance.
  • Never ignite devices in a container.
  • Never relight or handle a malfunctioning firework.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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