Man charged with involuntary manslaughter in fireworks-related death

A Centreville man who was lighting fireworks in the bed of a moving pickup truck in July was charged with involuntary manslaughter after a friend fell from the truck and later died, Loudoun authorities said Wednesday.

Loudoun Sheriff's officials said Kyle A. Guthrie, 19, who was arraigned Wednesday in Loudoun Circuit Court, was riding with Dennis Ray Ross, 19, in the bed of a GMC pickup truck on Donegal Drive in South Riding shortly before 1 a.m. July 19.

Guthrie set off fireworks, forcing Ross to either jump or fall from the truck, authorities allege. Ross was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital and died six days later.

Ross, of Oak Hill, was a 2008 graduate of Westfield High School. At the time of his death, he was an Infantry Marine recruit preparing to report to basic training.

Loudoun Sheriff's spokesman Kraig Troxell said the investigation has taken months because of the unusual circumstances. He said investigators worked closely with the Loudoun commonwealth's attorney's office.