YouTuber Alex Choi is no longer facing federal charges after prosecutors dropped the case tied to his viral helicopter fireworks stunt.
Choi, known for his high-octane car content on YouTube, faced serious legal trouble in 2023 after posting a now-deleted video titled “Destroying a Lamborghini With Fireworks.”
The video showed fireworks being launched from a helicopter onto a speeding Lamborghini in California’s El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, a popular filming spot for automotive creators.
Federal authorities charged Choi with “causing the placement of an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft,” a felony that carried a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
“The video is approximately 10 minutes and 45 seconds long. About the first three minutes of the video show various dramatic action scenes. A female and male acting as police officers discuss going to find an individual who is speeding,” reads the complaint.
“The female is then shown getting into a helicopter. In subsequent clips, two females are seen onboard a helicopter, while the helicopter is airborne, and the females are holding and shooting fireworks out of the helicopter onto and towards a Lamborghini sportscar.”
The Federal Aviation Administration also revoked the pilot’s license of the helicopter operator involved, citing reckless endangerment.
Federal charges dismissed
On July 3, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office removed Choi from supervision and dropped all charges against the YouTuber after confirming that he complied with all the conditions of pretrial diversion.
While the FAA’s administrative actions against the helicopter pilot remain in place, Choi is free to continue creating content without the looming threat of federal prosecution.
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