Shrapnel hits CHP patrol car during Camp Pendleton artillery mishap
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A newly released report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reveals new details about a live-fire crash involving a patrol vehicle near Camp Pendleton during Deputy Chief J.D. Vance’s visit to the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration.
The incident occurred at 1:46 p.m., when a 155mm artillery shell fired from White’s Beach (roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Las Pulgas Road) “exploded in mid-air over Interstate 5,” the report states.
When debris started falling from above, CHP closed part of the highway to support the event.
“The explosion produced small pieces of metal that fell onto the closed highway,” the report said. “A piece of shrapnel hit the hood of the CHP patrol vehicle, causing a small dent and scratch.”
PATROL VEHICLE WAS HIT BY SHARAPNEL DURING THE MARINE CORPS’ LIVE FIRE DISPLAY AT THE CELEBRATION WHICH JD VANCE ATTENDED
Metal shrapnel from Marine Corps live-fire training on the hood of a California Highway Patrol vehicle. (California Highway Patrol)
CHP Officers Felix and Vizcarra reported hearing what sounded like “pebbles falling” as pieces fell around them.
‘THE FIRST TO FIGHT’: MARINE VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE, MARKS 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNION, UNITY, STRENGTH, NOT ‘DIVERSITY’ AS HEGSETH SAID
No injuries were reported, but investigators found two pieces of shrapnel approximately 1 to 2 inches long.
Metal shrapnel from the Marine Corps’ live-fire training hit a California Highway Patrol vehicle on Saturday. (California Highway Patrol)
At around 13.55, CHP Sergeants. Maxson and Iniguez conducted safety sweeps of the northbound and southbound lanes but “found no additional shrapnel, debris or hazards.”
The highway was later reopened, according to the report.
Shrapnel piece on CHP vehicle (California Highway Patrol)
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The Border Division called the incident “an unusual and concerning situation” and called for a formal after-action review “to strengthen communication and coordination between federal, state, and local partners during future demonstrations or educational events near public roadways.”
Camp Pendleton officials announced they would conduct an investigation into what they called “the possible airborne explosion of a 155mm artillery shell outside the designated area of effect.”
