Wayne Teen Threw Exploding Firework At Woman From Car: Prosecutor

BEACH HAVEN, NJ — A Wayne resident was among two teens charged after he threw a firework from a vehicle that exploded on a woman at the Jersey Shore, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Thursday.

Gianni Aveta, 18, of Wayne, and Justin Liebhauser, 19, of Randolph, were both charged with aggravated arson.

The victim entered the Beach Haven Police Department at about 10:15 p.m. Friday and told them she was struck by a firework thrown out of the passenger side of a Jeep Wrangler, authorities said. The firework exploded and struck her in the arm and rib area, causing her clothes to catch fire, according to the prosecutor's office.

EMS treated the woman for second-degree burns to her arm.

About an hour later, Beach Haven officers pulled over a vehicle matching the victim's description, authorities said.

Liebhauser had been driving the Jeep with Aveta and the minors earlier in the evening in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit and Beach Haven Police Department revealed.

Liebhauser handed a 5-inch mortar shell firework to Aveta, who lit the firework and tossed it out the passenger side of the vehicle, hitting the woman, authorities said. Law enforcement charged Aveta and Liebhauser on Saturday via summons.