A DJI drone has crashed into a delivery truck in Georgetown, South Carolina, reportedly after striking a bird mid-flight. The incident, which caused approximately $1,200 in damage to the vehicle, has left local authorities puzzled about the drone’s ownership and purpose.
According to Nelson Brown, deputy chief of the Georgetown Police Department, the truck was parked outside a store when the incident happened. The drone, a DJI Matrice 600 professional-grade aircraft, bore no identifiable markings.
The event coincides with a surge of mysterious drone sightings reported across the East Coast, particularly in New Jersey. Since mid-November, residents in New Jersey and parts of New York have observed numerous drones, some described as large as SUVs, flying in formations and exhibiting unusual flight patterns. These sightings have sparked public concern and a flurry of theories about their origin and intent.
More: FBI warns: Stop pointing lasers, shooting at suspected drones
Federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, have initiated investigations into these unexplained aerial activities. Drone detection technologies and infrared cameras have been deployed to assess potential threats.
Despite these efforts, officials have found “little to no evidence” of nefarious or threatening activities associated with the drones. The White House has stated that many of these drones are operated by law enforcement and are legal and lawful. Experts have also suggested that many sightings may be misidentifications of manned aircraft or even celestial objects, leading to a phenomenon of mass hysteria.
Meanwhile, in Georgetown, local law enforcement continues to investigate the crash, seeking information about the drone’s operator and purpose. The DJI Matrice 600 was launched in 2017 for professional aerial photography, filmmaking, and industrial applications. Priced at $4,600, the drone featured a six-rotor system with a maximum payload of 6 kg. DJI suspended service and support for the drone earlier this year.
More: Drone maker DJI dodges US ban — is 2025 the real test?
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments