An unusual incident last Saturday, led to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) publishing an internal report following an artillery round's premature detonation midflight from Camp Pendleton, resulting in shrapnel striking a patrol car. The CHP report revealed that the event occurred while Vice President JD Vance was visiting for the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebration. According to a CHP news release, the 155 mm artillery round that detonated above a closed section of the I-5 freeway was initially part of a live-fire training demonstration.
At 1:46 p.m., during a traffic break initiated by CHP officers to support the military event, the unexpected detonation took place overhead. "This was an unusual and concerning situation," said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, in a sentiment echoed by the organization's internal report, which further recommended a detailed review into future event coordination to prevent such occurrences. As the officers, whom only identified as Felix and Vizcarra, experienced what they described as "pebbles falling," shrapnel descended upon the halted traffic, striking the vehicle they were entrusted to patrol in, as reported by a CHP news release.
No injuries were recorded in relation to the incident, and follow-up sweeps of the I-5 by CHP Sgts. Maxson and Iniguez around 1:55 p.m. confirmed the absence of additional hazards. Investigators managed to recover two pieces of shrapnel measuring up to two inches in length. As per FOX News, the CHP's internal report pressed for a formal review to tighten up the "communication and coordination between federal, state, and local partners during future demonstrations or training events near public roadways."
