Four seriously injured in fireworks accident

Two young men and two teenagers were seriously injured on the Fourth of July holiday last Thursday in one of the worst fireworks-related accidents in Big Horn County in recent years.

The group was traveling down U.S. Highway 310 at 4:54 p.m. on their way to an Independence Day celebration in Deaver. Those riding in the car included Riley Birky, 24, of Byron, his younger brother Tucker Schulenberg, 16, also of Byron and Dylan McEwan, 25, and Landon Smallwood, 18, both of Powell. Birky’s fiancé Sierah Martin was following in a separate car with two young children.

Schulenberg is a student at Rocky Mountain High School. Smallwood is a student at Powell High School.

According to Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn, who was off duty at the time but one of the first on the scene, a batch of mortar-style fireworks exploded inside the four-door sedan as it travelled on the highway about a mile and a half west of Cowley.

Blackburn noted that tire impressions (skid marks) on the pavement indicated an extreme braking incident took place, which caused the vehicle to slide sideways for several feet before coming to a halt on the highway.

Lovell Fire Dept. Chief Mike Jameson said when firefighters arrived, the vehicle was partially blocking the road. He said the first order of business was to block traffic so vehicles didn’t drive through the accident scene. He said the victims had already been removed from the vehicle, which was in flames.

Blackburn said statements made by the victims themselves at the scene indicated that a cigarette was somehow involved in the cause of the explosion.

“We don’t know how it (the cigarette) may have got there or anything like that,” said Blackburn. “Anything reported otherwise is pure speculation at this point.”

Dylan McEwan, a front seat passenger in the vehicle and the least injured of the four victims, did not respond to requests from the Lovell Chronicle to tell his side of the story by press time. His mother, Debora Guenthner, of Billings, speaking on his behalf, said reports about a cigarette causing the accident are unfounded, noting that any comments that may have been made by the victims, who were all in a state of shock at the time, would have been speculative and should not be regarded as factual.  She reiterated that her son told her he does not know what caused the explosion.

Blackburn noted that the matter is under investigation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Lt. Lee Pence of the Wyoming Highway Patrol office in Cody declined to comment, stating he did not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

“The matter is under investigation,” Pence confirmed. “The vehicle burnt to the ground, and fireworks were involved. That’s about all I can tell you.”

He said no citations have been issued.

“We’re trying to do our due care,” he explained. “We’ve heard one side, and we want to hear from the others, because there could be some serious charges involved here.”

When asked about the information circulating that the accident may have been caused by a cigarette, he said, “We heard that and we’re obviously investigating that part, as well. We’re investigating it as if it were an accident or if fireworks we’re being fired off down the road. That’s why we’re looking at everything. We want to talk to everybody as we move forward. There were very serious injuries, and though it turned out better than it could have been, it’s worse than we thought it would be.”

Numerous bystanders, volunteer firefighters, law enforcement officials and medical first responders rushed to the scene to help the victims. (See related story.)

All four victims were transported by medical helicopter to burn centers in Colorado. As of Tuesday, all remained hospitalized in serious condition. McEwan’s mother Debora said it was initially thought McEwan would be released on Tuesday, but by mid-day his release appeared to be delayed.

Fundraisers underway for fireworks accident victims

Several fundraisers are already in the works to benefit the victims of the July 4 fireworks accident near Cowley. 

A Facebook auction coordinated by Megan O’Halloran, the sister of one of the victims, is scheduled to begin on August 3 at 8 a.m. Donated items are now being accepted. To donate an item, send a written description, photos, retail price if applicable and the name of the person or business donating the item to rtldfundraiser@yahoo.com.

Items will be listed on a special Facebook page called “Tucker, Riley, Landon and Dylan Fundraiser.” Bids will be submitted through comments. Winners will be notified of payment options. The Facebook page also contains regular posts from family members about how the victims are progressing in their healing process.

A special account was set up on Monday at Big Horn Federal Bank in Powell. Donations to benefit the four victims can be made at any Big Horn Federal Bank location. The name of the fund is the TRLD Fundraiser.

Additionally, a GoFundMe account has been set up by Joetta Martin specifically to benefit brothers Tucker Schulenberg and Riley Birky. The account is called “Stand with Riley and Tucker in their fight” and can be found at www.gofundme.com.