Marine Corps shrapnel hits patrol car on California freeway

SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA) - A Marine Corps shrapnel hit a patrol car on one of the California's busy freeways during a demonstration over the weekend.

The artillery rounds were fired over Interstate 5 (I-5) near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County as part of a military demonstration for the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the shrapnel detonated prematurely and struck a patrol car.

The SUV had an approximately two-inch by half-inch piece of shrapnel on the hood of the patrol vehicle.

Authorities immediately alerted the Marine Corps that a mortar round did not clear I-5 and the shrapnel was falling around the freeway.

At that point, the Marine Corps immediately cancelled firing additional live ordinance over the freeway.