safety
‘He was actually holding it up’: 14-year-old dies after fireworks injury on 4th of July, family says
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 7, 2026
· 1 min read
HUGHES, Ark. (WMC/Gray News) - A 14-year-old boy died after suffering a fireworks injury on July 4, according to his family.Jacksyn Smith was injured on July 4 while mishandling fireworks. He was flown to a children’s hospital, where he later died.Jacksyn’s grandmother, Angela Perdew, said he was...
Key takeaway (WMC/Gray News) - A 14-year-old boy died after suffering a fireworks injury on July 4, according to his family.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The tragic death of 14-year-old Jacksyn Smith serves as a stark warning to Atlanta families about the dangers of fireworks mishandling. As the city's residents prepare for future celebrations, they would do well to heed the words of Jacksyn's grandmother, Angela Perdew, who emphasized the importance of proper supervision around fireworks. In Atlanta, where fireworks are often a staple of summer celebrations, the risk of similar accidents is ever-present. The city's community should take note of the devastating consequences of fireworks misuse and take steps to ensure that children are educated on the proper handling of these devices. Furthermore, the incident highlights the need for increased awareness and safety measures in Atlanta's communities, particularly during holidays like the 4th of July, to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HUGHES, Ark. (WMC/Gray News) - A 14-year-old boy died after suffering a fireworks injury on July 4, according to his family.Jacksyn Smith was injured on July 4 while mishandling fireworks. He was flown to a children’s hospital, where he later died.Jacksyn’s grandmother, Angela Perdew, said he was...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter