The incident occurred near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, during an event attended by Vice President JD Vance and authorized under the Trump administration as part of the anniversary festivities. 

The explosion sent metal shrapnel raining down onto a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle that was on the freeway. 

According to an internal CHP report, a piece of explosive ordnance detonated overhead before reaching its designated impact area, damaging a patrol cruiser that had been stationed nearby to enforce a traffic break.

Miraculously, no one was injured but the detonation prompted immediate outrage from California officials and renewed tensions between state and federal authorities over what Governor Gavin Newsom has called ‘reckless’ and ‘profoundly absurd’ military theatrics over civilian infrastructure.

‘This was an unusual and concerning situation,’ said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, a Marine Corps veteran who oversaw the safety operation. 

‘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.’

The CHP’s internal report obtained on Sunday, confirmed that metal fragments struck a marked patrol car while officers were supporting a traffic closure along I-5. 

MNN