Marine Corps Artillery Shrapnel Damages CHP Vehicles on I-5 During Drills
During Marine Corps drills in California, shrapnel from a prematurely exploding 155mm artillery round damaged California Highway Patrol vehicles and landed on Interstate 5, causing minor dents but no injuries.
Overview
- During Marine Corps drills in California, shrapnel from a prematurely exploding 155mm artillery round damaged California Highway Patrol vehicles.
- The shrapnel also landed on vehicles parked on a ramp on Interstate 5, causing minor dents and scratches to patrol vehicles.
- Fortunately, despite the damage to multiple vehicles, no injuries were reported from the incident involving the artillery shrapnel.
- This incident occurred amidst Governor Gavin Newsom's strong objections to live artillery fire over a major Southern California highway due to significant public safety concerns.
- The drills were part of the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton, with Vice President JD Vance scheduled to attend, despite earlier safety assurances.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by consistently foregrounding Governor Newsom's safety objections and connecting them directly to the subsequent shrapnel incident. While presenting both sides, the editorial choices emphasize the controversy and the state's reactive measures to perceived risks from military exercises, shaping a narrative where Newsom's concerns are validated by events.
"The incident occurred when ordnance detonated overhead prematurely during Saturday’s exercise at Camp Pendleton, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release."
Associated Press"The demonstration went through a rigorous safety evaluation, and deliberate layers of redundancy, to ensure the safety of fellow citizens."
USA TODAY"Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous."
ABC News"The state had considered closing the freeway earlier in the week, but the U.S. Marines said Thursday that the event would occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols."
Fortune"Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous."
Military Times"Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn’t just wrong — it’s dangerous."
Associated Press"The shutdown was decided because of "extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions," Newsom said."
USA TODAYArticles (11)
FAQ
California Highway Patrol vehicles were likely present for traffic control and public safety due to the live artillery exercises occurring over Interstate 5, which led to the closure of a 17-mile stretch of the highway because of safety concerns raised by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Yes, Governor Gavin Newsom had previously raised significant public safety concerns, stating that firing live rounds over a busy highway is dangerous and forced the closure of the interstate for the event.
Marine Corps officials at Camp Pendleton stated that the artillery exercise complied with established safety protocols and was conducted on approved training ranges, although there was no explicit mention of specific protocols for managing artillery malfunctions.
The news story describes this as a specific incident during a scheduled drill, but it does not provide information on whether similar incidents have occurred in the past at Camp Pendleton or elsewhere.
State transportation officials decided to close the highway after practice firings and a request from event organizers for signage indicating 'Overhead fire in progress,' reflecting an attempt to mitigate risk and inform the public.
History
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