Wyoming Man Killed Instantly In Alaska When Hit By A Mortar Style Firework On July 4th

Death Investigation 

Location: Gustavus 

Type: Death Investigation 

Dispatch Text: 

On July 4, 2022, at 11:36 pm, the Alaska State Troopers received a report from the Gustavus Fire Department that an adult male in Gustavus had just died from a fireworks explosion.  

Troopers responded in a DPS aircraft to Gustavus on the morning of July 5.  A preliminary investigation revealed Benjamin Jorgensen, age 19 of Green River, WY lit a mortar style firework and was subsequently struck killing him instantly. National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve responded to the scene and confirmed the death of Jorgensen and secured the scene pending AST arrival.  Wyoming law enforcement notified next-of-kin.  The State Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and his body is being transported to Anchorage for an autopsy.