Just as they have for years, residents on Pleasant Street in Palmer have celebrated the 4th of July by lighting fireworks in front of their homes.

While they say they've always had problems with people speeding down their road they never thought something like this would ever happen.

Jennifer Prevost says, "We were lighting off some fountain fireworks out in the road, someone out in the street thought that they were going to be funny and stopped at the house right here on the corner, they all of a sudden stomped on the the gas and accelerated to 50 miles an hour or so to come and run down the fireworks."

But along with the fireworks the driver of the car, 19 year old Brian Dickson of Monson, also hit 39 year old Dave Bassett.

Prevost says, "He had walked out into the street to look at the fireworks closer and when he did they hit the fireworks and him at the same time."

Witnesses say the car launched Bassett into the air and he landed nearly 30 feet down the road. Bassett was transported to Wing Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Palmer police say Dickson fled the scene after it happened but did return later to make his identity known. Dickson admitted to police that he had accelerated down the road in an attempt to run over the fireworks and claims he did not see Bassett because of smoke from the fireworks. Neighbors say they've had problems with drivers on their street for years, but this is by far the worst.

Prevost says, "There is no posted speed limit sign whatsoever, there is no caution children at play there are no warnings, people drive up the wrong way and it's just an ongoing issue."

An issue they never thought would take the life of good friend.

Robin Mclenaghan says, "He was a great guy, take the shirt off his back for anybody he would help anybody out when they needed it, he used to help people all the time and nothing nasty every came out of his mouth ever, he was always kind and considerate."

Prevost says, "He didn't mean to hit the person, no, they didn't see the person, they just meant to be jerks and try to run down our fireworks and made a very tragic accident and took the life of a very wonderful man."

Palmer Police say they expect to file charges upon completion of the investigation.