Artillery Explodes Over I-5, Hitting CHP Vehicles Near Camp Pendleton

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Falling shrapnel struck two California Highway Patrol vehicles Saturday when artillery fired as part of a celebration of the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary exploded prematurely over a closed Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, authorities said.

The vehicles that were hit — a motorcycle and a patrol car — had escorted Vice President JD Vance to the festivities and then been directed to stand by at the interstate’s southbound entrance ramp at Las Pulgas Road, according to a highway patrol report.

About 60 rounds were scheduled to be fired from 1:46 p.m. to 1:51 p.m., but after the mid-flight detonation near the interstate, the exercise was terminated, the report said.

Highway patrol officers reported a pebble-like sound on the motorcycle and found a 2-by-0.5-inch piece of shrapnel on the hood of the car, as well as a dent and a scratch, according to the report, which added that a 1-by-0.5-inch shrapnel piece was discovered near the motorcycle. No one was hurt, the report said.

“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said in a news release. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”

An internal report from the highway patrol recommended further review into the planning, communication and coordination between federal, state and local authorities regarding Saturday’s event to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and trainings near public roads, according to the news release.

Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis of I Marine Expeditionary Force said in an email that the force was “aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery round outside the designated impact area during the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration.”

“The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens,” Dreibelbis said in the email. “Following established safety protocols, firing was suspended. No injuries occurred and the demonstration concluded as scheduled. An investigation has been initiated.”

He also noted artillery is fired nearly every week at Camp Pendleton.

The closure of the interstate on Saturday generated some controversy, as military officials had said it would be able to stay open, but the highway patrol announced on Saturday that it would close, citing "extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions.”

READ MORE: SoCal Freeway Closes For Military Celebration After Officials Previously Promised No Shutdown

Gov. Gavin Newsom at that time called the firing of live rounds over the interstate “dangerous” as well as “reckless” and “disrespectful.” He weighed in on Saturday’s explosion on Sunday with a post on X.

“We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects,” he wrote.

Traffic immediately backed up after the closure on Saturday. The interstate reopened around 2:20 p.m., the highway patrol report said.

City News Service contributed to this story.