#Latvian Lives Matter

Grim new details revealed in freak fireworks death of 24-year-old NHL goalie...

Blasted thru his chest?

 

Of all the news stories I hope are investigated and reported fully on -- like the final count determination in the New York Mayor's race, no matter where the results might lead.... -- I hope the police do not let the "tragic accident" of the Latvian young man go.

The backup goalie and future prospect for the Toronto BlueJackets went to a party at a coach's house in Michigan where an all-day celebration was underway well before the fireworks that night that killed the young Latvian worker.

People at the party initially lied.  Said the young man was dodging fireworks that had been shot -- intentionally or not is what they should be seriously investigating -- in the direction of people allegedly in the hot tub.  He slipped and hit his head running on the wet deck, and died, police were initially told.  But the autopsy shows the trauma from taking an explosive to the chest killed him.

 Of course drinking was involved.  It was an all day party, and nobody in their right mind sets up fireworks in a limited pool deck area where it can "misfire"...

 But, what if the boys (and they're all boys when they're drinking and partying and proving their worth) decided to shoot fireworks at folks, except this one wasn't a simple bottle rocket?  I sure wish somebody would be charged and let a jury see the facts -- either for hosting, for lighting the wick, or for manufacturing the original story.  A teammate is talking online, and you start to wonder what really happened at the home of the coach hosting the wedding, and the extended reception for his players.  Negligence matters, even when the workers are foreign and disposable. 

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Elvis Merzlikins posted a picture of the pair on Instagram – which is thought to have been taken at the party.

He said: "I really love you, I'll miss you, we had our last basketball game in the pool and we enjoyed before you left me right after. We love you and fly high baby, fly high! You saved your last puck! (sic)."

A Michigan medical examiner said the cause of death was chest trauma from a mortar-style firework blast, Fox News reports.

Cops said the goalie was around 10 feet away from the mortar at the time, WDIV Local 4 reports.

Investigators said the NHL star suffered a “percussion” injury.

Lt James Meier, of Novi Police Department, said Kivlenieks was in a hot tub when the firework titled slightly as it went off nearby.

He said: “There is no indication that anything criminal happened. We are treating this as a tragic accident.”

The goaltender died on the eve of the Canadiens crunch fixture against Tampa Bay.

Cops thought the goaltender had initially hit his head on the concrete while running away from the fireworks.

And now they know he didn't...

Maybe if they investigate further, and ask hard questions of those at the party, they might find out why a young man died in his prime at a party hosted by an older man where something went deadly awry.  Cops shouldn't be concluding anything, just gathering facts that can be processed by decision-makers.  

If the work in fact gathering goes undone or is tainted, deliberately or though ignorance and misplaced sympathy -- either by police officers, scientists or journalists -- then the conclusion one comes to is faulty based on false premises...  

Keep asking questions:  who bought the fireworks?  Who set them up in such close proximity to the hottub?  Had the party guests had to dodge any other errant shots that night?  How much had the fireworks people putting on the show been drinking? How did the victim take the blow to the chest? Be honest... no lies now.  The truth will come out one day...

This Latvian life mattered.  I am sure, they will compensate his mother good -- by Latvian standards.  But he shouldn't be dead.  "Tragic accidents" are often negligence cases given a pass...  I think we owe the dead more questions about how they died, whether it be on the roadside, in custody or at the hands of friends and family.

Nothing personal or offensive in asking questions:  this is how you prevent injustices and inequalities from being regularly accepted.  Some people break things, and others have to clean up after them.  Same as it ever was, except... times are a'changin...

For Latvian lives too.  "You saved your last puck."  Hm.  Keep on asking questions, and never fear finding the simple truths.  This isn't just an election office at stake, but a life.  If we give up on the idea that they all matter, we lose ourselves amongst the remaining riches.

Look ahead, don't spend your life living underhandedly and always looking back over your shoulder.  Christ taught me that --- the richest man I know.  He didn't need to kill, lie, cheat and steal to live life freely himself.  Nor do we.

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Matiss Kivlenieks, 24, died while attending a party at the home of the team's goaltending coach, Manny Legace. Earlier in the day, Mr Legace's daughter, Sabrina, was married at the home. The young couple's wedding website described the party as a "night of relaxation and uninhibited revelry”.

Party host and homeowner, Coach Manny Legace