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So I'm driving down a two lane road in the burbs tonight (02 93 SE), and I see a sparkler in the road ahead of me. No big deal, I think I'll drive around it. This is happening about 10:45 so it's dark. Well what do you know, the sparkler seriously ignites and explodes. RIGHT in front of my car. Keep in mind I decided to bypass whatever it was, so it explodes right next to my left front bumper. BOOM. All in about a span of 3 seconds, portions of the firework enter my car through open windows and a piece of flaming/exploding incendiary lodges between my glasses and my left eye. Needless to say I am momentarily blinded. I don't know if I ripped the glasses from my face first or if I laid on the brakes first. Whatever I did, it was not graceful and was accompanied by string of expletives. Thank GOD above I seemed to have reflexively closed my left eye while all this happened. Also thankful there was no other traffic around at the time. In my near panic I rolled the windows up (in case more was coming), started and stopped the car about three times, and finally backed up and pulled into the driveway I suspected the device came from. Ring the door bell, see people running around inside, no answer. I decide to immediately call the police. While doing so, the homeowner comes out and proceeds to apologize for her dumb ass kid and friend. I am meanwhile entering the house to determine if any real damage is done to my eye. Thankfully again, seems no real damage to sight. Only some burning and some first degree burns on the skin around the eye. My poor (expensive) glasses have a permanent burn in the left lense. I mean the plastic is melted for crying out loud! In my rush, I call the folks and have them get parametics on the scene to evaluate me. Also got the police there to file a report. All in all, despite incredibly unlucky timing, I am one LUCKY dude tonight. Juding from my glasses, the burn could have done some permanent damage to the eye. To come away with only 1st degree burns around the eye is incredibly lucky. I asked these kids what they were lighting. They said it was a "Mortar", ie one of those miniature fireworks people launch in their nighborhoods (illegally I might add in Indiana). These fly up to 100, 150 feet and explode like the ones you see at a professional display, just smaller.
So I've been to the ER for evaluation, filed police report, etc. I should get fully compensated for replacement spectacles and any medical costs (I do have health coverage, but their insurance should pay.) I'm just pissed a bit still because the police said according to my account and the kids', it seems to be a case of wrong place/wrong time. However I think those little sh--heads should suffer some for being idiots. How can I make em hurt? Legally, that is. I mean, they were lauching illegal fireworks without adult supervision. I just have the feeling that there will be no repurcussions for them. It's probably not worth pursuing, but it still makes me mad. This happened only a little more than 3 hours ago.
On the positive side, my eye seems to have taken the brunt of the explosive/incendiary device, and the SAAB is untouched. Amazing. I don't even have a burn mark on my shirt. But my eye, crimeny. I just can't believe my luck/unluck. Whatever.
End of story....drive safe....stop if you see a "sparkler" in the road...and if you mess with these devices, keep them away from your kids and be safe with them yourself. They are not toys. <End Rant>
Tito
posted by 67.38.36...
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