Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender
Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, died in a tragic firework accident on Sunday (July 4) night. Kivlenieks was relaxing in a hot tub at a private party in Novi, Michigan, when another group of people lit off a mortar-style firework.
The firework tilted slightly and shot towards the hot tub. Kivlenieks tried to get out of the way, but the firework struck him in the chest.
Parademics arrived and rushed Kivlenieks to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police initially believed he died from striking his head on the concrete as he fell out of the hot tub, but the preliminary autopsy report revealed he died due to chest trauma from the firework.