ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – In truly “Florida man” fashion, a passenger was caught on camera by a sheriff’s office helicopter launching fireworks at passing cars on I-95 in St. Johns County on July 4.
In video posted by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, fireworks can be seen flying from the vehicle and landing in the median and in the oncoming lanes of the highway, narrowly missing another vehicle.
Recommended Videos
The pilot can be heard describing the vehicle pulling a boat southbound on I-95.
“They appear to be shooting fireworks out of the window at cars on the interstate,” the pilot says. “We’ve got it on camera, but it looks like it was mortar style.”
When deputies pulled the vehicle over, though, the men inside denied shooting fireworks from the car. The interaction was captured on body camera video.
Deputy: This vehicle was seen launching fireworks out of the passenger side of the vehicle.
Driver: No. Not us.
Deputy: Unfortunately, it was captured by our air unit.
Driver: No man, not, not us.
Deputy: Not this car?
After a few minutes, the deputy asked if anyone had told the men how their vehicle had been identified. They said no.
Deputy: You see that little flashy dot? (pointing at the night sky)
Driver: Yeah, it’s a drone?
Deputy: No. That’s a helicopter -- who’s been following you for the past 10 miles, shooting stuff out of the car. ... You’re gonna stick with that story? Because let’s be real, it’s on recording.
The passenger was arrested and charged with shooting a deadly missile from a moving vehicle.
“We understand fireworks are a fun way to celebrate, but only when handled safely and responsibly,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its post on social media. “Only ignite fireworks from a hard surface, a safe distance from people and other objects.”