A driver in St. Augustine, Florida, was pulled over on July 4 for launching fireworks from a vehicle towing a boat on I‑95. A police helicopter had observed sparks flying from the passenger side of the vehicle and relayed the sighting to ground officers.
Body‑camera footage shows the officer informing the driver that the helicopter had seen the fireworks in motion. The driver and a passenger denied responsibility, stating that the vehicle was not involved. The officer repeated that the vehicle had been tracked by the helicopter for ten miles.
Video footage from the helicopter displays additional sparks, described as “mortar style,” which bounced off the ground into the opposite lane. The footage also captured the passenger being handcuffed following the encounter.
Authorities charged the passenger with firing a deadly missile from a moving vehicle. The incident highlights the dangers of operating fireworks on public roads.
The sheriff’s office issued a statement emphasizing that fireworks should only be ignited on a hard surface and at a safe distance from people and other objects, underscoring the importance of responsible handling during celebrations.
