Patrol vehicle hit by shrapnel as Marines fired live artillery over California interstate, highway patrol says

The U.S. Marines Corps has launched an investigation after the California Highway Patrol said shrapnel from an artillery shell, fired during a live-fire demonstration touted by the White House, struck a law enforcement vehicle.

SAN DIEGO — The Marines Corps has launched an investigation after the California Highway Patrol said shrapnel from an artillery shell, fired during a live-fire demonstration touted by the White House, struck a law enforcement vehicle.

No injuries were reported when an artillery round “detonated overhead prematurely” during Saturday’s 250th anniversary celebration for the Marines Corps at Camp Pendleton, the highway patrol said.

But at least one of its patrol vehicles, on hand to help stop and divert traffic on Interstate 5 through the base during the demonstration, was damaged, the highway patrol said in a statement Sunday.

“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado, who also identified himself as a Marine, said in the statement. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway.”

Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis, spokesperson for I Marine Expeditionary Force, said in a statement Sunday that officials “are aware of the report of a possible airborne detonation of a 155mm artillery round outside the designated impact area” during Saturday’s Marine Corps amphibious capabilities demonstration.