The incident occurred near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County during an event attended by Vice President J.D. Vance that was sanctioned under the Trump administration as part of the anniversary celebrations.
The explosion rained metal debris onto a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle traveling on the highway.
According to an internal CHP report, the explosives detonated overhead before reaching the designated impact area, damaging a patrol cruiser stationed nearby to enforce the traffic blockade.
Miraculously, no one was injured, but the explosion sparked the immediate ire of California officials and renewed tensions between state and federal authorities over what Governor Gavin Newsom called a “reckless” and “grossly irrational” military operation against civilian infrastructure.
“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Director Tony Coronado, a Marine Corps veteran who oversaw the security operation.
“Live-fire and explosive training activities are highly unusual on active highways. As a Marine myself, I have great respect for our military partners, but my greatest responsibility is to ensure the safety of Californians and the officers who protect them.”
An internal CHP report obtained Sunday confirmed that the trooper was assisting with a traffic stop along Interstate 5 when a piece of metal struck a marked police car.
MNN