The Fourth of July is typically a time for celebration, but for the McGrew family, it turned into a day of unimaginable tragedy.
Allen Ray McGrew, a 41-year-old patriot who loved Independence Day, lost his life in a tragic accident after placing lit firewok on his head.
On social media, a viral video showed Allen's tragic death, leaving viewers stunned.
The incident occurred on July 4th at 10:30 p.m. after authorities responded to an emergency call regarding Allen Ray McGrew's accident.
In the footage, Allen was seen dressed in a festive Uncle Sam outfit on Cottonwood Drive in Summerville, California.
According to Paige, his wife, said that he was "showboating" with a firework, intending to entertain the crowd.
In the interview with The Post and Courier, Page initially thought he was simply putting on a show before grounding the firework.
However, he made a fateful error. According to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office, Allen collapsed after the firework exploded. Allen was reported to have died at the scene at 11:10 PM due to massive head trauma.
In the interview with The Post and Courier, Paige McGrew breaks the silence after her husband' death.
Talking to The Post and Courier, She revealed that alcohol was involved in the incident, although Allen was not a regular drinker.
She said: “Allen loved this holiday. He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night."
She added that Allen had always been passionate about Independence Day, but this year was even more special due to his son Hunter’s engagement, which he was thrilled to celebrate.
The McGrew family not only grapples with the trauma of witnessing Allen's death but also contends with public misconceptions in the press about the incident
A video of Allen dancing in his costume hours before the accident has been circulating on social media, leading to harsh criticism and misconceptions about his character. Some have labeled Allen as a "drunken fool," but his family insists this portrayal is far from accurate.
"Allen didn't drink regularly," Paige clarified. "This party was meant to be his last blow-out before staying off the booze for a while."
Hunter McGrew, Allen's 20-year-old son, expressed the family's grief, stating, "We’re traumatized."
Paige recounted Allen's final moments and the loving words he shared with his family. "Just before the incident happened, he hugged me and his son and said, 'You are my rock, and you are my heart.' Me being his rock and his son being his heart."
She emphasized that Allen was a genuine, good person who loved life and his family deeply. "He was a genuine, good person and he loved life," Paige affirmed.
Additionally, His family is now speaking out, hoping to correct misconceptions and share their memories of Allen as a loving father and husband.
Allen's family also hope to correct the narrative and honor Allen's memory as a loving father and husband, not the misunderstood figure portrayed in viral videos.
