URGENT UPDATE: An artillery shell detonated mid-air over California’s Interstate 5 on October 20, 2025, striking a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle during a Marine Corps demonstration. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the patrol car sustained significant damage, prompting immediate investigations into the incident.
The incident occurred during the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton, where live-fire training was underway. CHP officers were on I-5 assisting with a traffic break when debris from the 155mm artillery round struck their vehicle, raising serious safety concerns among authorities.
CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, an active Marine, expressed alarm:
“This was an unusual and concerning situation. It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”
The Marine Corps has confirmed that they are investigating the premature detonation, which led to the cancellation of additional live-fire demonstrations.
California Governor Gavin Newsom had previously closed a section of I-5 as a precaution ahead of the event. Following the incident, he criticized the decision to conduct such a demonstration over a busy highway, stating,
“This could have killed someone. This is what the White House thought was fine to fly over civilians on a major freeway.”
Newsom has been vocally critical of President Donald Trump’s military deployment decisions, further intensifying their ongoing feud.
The CHP has initiated an internal report and recommended an after-action review to evaluate planning and coordination between federal, state, and local authorities regarding future military demonstrations near public roadways. Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis of the Marine Corps stated that the demonstration underwent rigorous safety evaluations, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols.
As this story develops, authorities will be closely monitoring the situation to prevent future incidents. The public is urged to stay informed as further updates regarding safety measures and potential changes to military training protocols are expected soon.
