Yet another incident from July 4 in Hollister came to light Wednesday, this one involving near injuries to a baby and her mother due to illegal fireworks that flew into a garage.
According to a Hollister police statement released today:
On July 4 at about 11 p.m. Hollister police officers responded to the 1700 Block of Jacaranda Circle for a fireworks complaint. The fireworks had shot into a neighbor’s garage, nearly injuring a mother and her 1-year-old baby when they were struck.
Officers had been dispatched to the 1700 block of Jacaranda Circle to meet with a victim in an illegal fireworks incident. Officers were advised that illegal areal fireworks were being shot off at the residence of a 48-year-old Hollister man, Jesus Diaz.
One of the fireworks had shot into the victim’s garage where she was sitting and holding her 1-year-old child. When the firework struck them, it burned the child’s beanie hat and the mother’s pants. Officers issued a citation to Diaz for allowing illegal aerial fireworks on his property. The mother and child were not injured in the incident.
Once Diaz had been cited, his adult son, Ulyses Diaz 18 of Hollister, confessed to setting off the firework that struck and nearly injured the mother and child. He alleged it was a “Safe and Sane” firework that he accidentally shot into the neighbor’s garage when it fell over.
Charges of child endangerment against Ulyses Diaz have been referred to the San Benito District Attorney for complaint and review.
The Hollister Police Department reminds residents that use of illegal fireworks can lead to a citation with fines starting at $1,000.
Anyone with information on activity like this is asked to call the Hollister Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Calls to WeTip can lead to rewards of up to $1,000.
