Guilty plea in deadly Hawaii fireworks accident

HONOLULU (AP) — A project manager of a company indicted for mishandling fireworks that led to a 2011 Hawaii explosion that killed five of the company’s employees reached a deal with prosecutors.

Carlton Finley pleaded guilty Friday to improperly storing explosives. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will dismiss charges including conspiracy and making a false statement.

The company, Donaldson Enterprises, and its director of operations also were indited and go to trial next month.

According to Finley’s plea agreement, he knowingly allowed seized fireworks to be stored illegally. He faces up to a year incarceration.