Phoenix Explosion: Teen Girl Hospitalized After Car Part Thrown in Bonfire
Police seek a suspect between 16 and 25 for throwing a shock absorber into flames near Lake Pleasant, leaving Jaidynn Penberthy with severe facial injuries.
By Jessica Abebe ·
Phoenix police are searching for a suspect who threw a vehicle shock absorber into a bonfire, causing an explosion that seriously injured a 16-year-old girl on Friday night. The blast occurred around 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of New River and Saddle Mountain roads, close to Lake Pleasant. Detectives say the suspect, described as a teen or young man between 16 and 25 years old, fled the scene before officers arrived.
Jaidynn Penberthy of Peoria was standing approximately 10 feet away when the shock absorber detonated. Her brother, Ethan Glass, stated that the force of the blast knocked her unconscious. He described the scene to reporters, noting, "There was a lot of blood. It was like a scene out of a horror movie." Strangers at the party performed lifesaving measures, and friends drove Penberthy to a hospital while calling 911.
Glass reported that Penberthy suffered a broken jaw, multiple facial fractures, missing teeth, and burns. He explained that the shrapnel struck her almost directly in the mouth, nose, and side of her face. Penberthy was transported by air to a burn center, where surgeons performed facial reconstruction. Medical staff indicated she will require several additional operations.
The victim is currently awake but unable to speak, so her family communicates with her through writing. Glass said she is experiencing significant pain and difficulty breathing. He noted that she is thankful to be alive but remains confused by the incident. "Being kind of an older brother definitely makes me frustrated a lot," Glass said. "I mean, I really don't understand why he would do something of the sort. It makes no sense."
Phoenix police have released a description of the suspect as a male between the ages of 16 and 25. They are asking the public for help in identifying the individual who threw the car part into the fire. Multiple people at the Halloween party were hit by debris, but Penberthy was the only one with serious injuries.
Those with information about the incident are encouraged to contact Phoenix police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish-speaking callers. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the family with Penberthy's medical expenses.
Penberthy continues to recover at the burn center. The family says she is doing better physically but is still adjusting to her injuries. Police have not yet made an arrest in the case.
