Cash rains from helicopter onto mourners to honour Detroit man's last wish
Darrell Thomas, a 58-year-old car wash owner and well-known local businessman, died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease on June 15, but wanted to shower his community in one final act of generosity.
In late June, Thomas made it rain from beyond the grave when a helicopter, organized by his family, hovered above pedestrians and cars on Gratiot Avenue on Detroit's east side and released thousands of dollars in cash and rose petals from above, People magazine and The Detroit News reported.
Lisa Knife, an employee at Airport Express Lube and Service, told The Detroit News that the late owner of a local car wash had made the cash drop his final wish and said that 'everybody got a little bit [of money]' to take home.'
Story continues below advertisement
A video, shot by Crystal Perry, Thomas's niece, appears to have been captured from inside a car driving on the highway directly underneath the helicopter. The footage shows plumes of banknotes blowing towards the vehicle, with people rushing to pick them up from the middle of the street.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Anaya Toney, an employee in the area where the money was released, told People magazine that she noticed bank notes falling from the sky just before she began work and recalled 'so many people' running to grab handfuls of free cash.
'It was actually kind of crazy,' she said, adding that six lanes of traffic came to a standstill as people left their cars and ran towards the scattered bills.
Knife said police arrived and that a part of the street was closed for 30 minutes as a result.
Toney said that despite a chaotic rush for the cash, everyone kept the peace and only took their fair share.
'There was no fighting, none of that,' she said. 'It was really beautiful.'
Footage from the drop has been circulating online and shows the moment onlookers realized that money was flying out from beneath the hovering aircraft.
Story continues below advertisement
One video posted on Instagram by Thomas's family shows cars stopped in the middle of the highway and passersby cheering as the cash floats elegantly down to the ground.
'Our Pops Wouldn't Want It No Other Way,' the caption reads.
A TikTok user filmed the packed highway at a complete stop while people ran towards the helicopter in the hopes of getting their hands on a few dollars.
In a message to her late uncle, Perry wrote on Facebook, 'Them boys SHUT Gratiot down on both sides dropped a light five bands & rose petals out the helicopter for my uncle P. A Eastside Legend.'
Story continues below advertisement
Her video has been viewed 4.8 million times as of publication.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Japan Forward
24 minutes ago
- Japan Forward
Office Cat Boosts Morale at an Ishikawa Logistics Firm
At transport company Nissho, it's part of the daily routine for Fuku the cat to wander across desks or settle into her favorite chair. She can be a bit mischievous, but the calm and comfort she brings to the office has a noticeable effect — lifting spirits and boosting everyone's productivity. Fuku proudly takes center stage as the mascot for the company's 50th anniversary commemorative goods — Kawakita Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) Based in Kawakita Town, Ishikawa Prefecture, Nissho recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, the company created various promotional items — with Fuku naturally taking center stage. Employees even wear shirts embroidered with her image, adding to the office's warm and friendly atmosphere. Fuku is also featured on employees' shirts — Kawakita Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) In the middle of the office stands a cat tower, where I found Fuku napping on the top tier. I greeted her with a quick "Nice to meet you" and snapped a photo. She woke up with a big yawn and glanced around, almost as if checking on her coworkers' progress. The affectionate way the employees looked back at her was full of warmth. Fuku on her cat tower. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) President Yunosuke Otani described the company this way: "There's none of the rough atmosphere you often find in this [logistics] industry. That's all thanks to Fuku," he said with a gentle smile. Fuku lives a healthy and happy life despite losing her right front paw. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) When I asked Chairman Tsukasa Ishihara for a photo with Fuku, she curled up inside a document case by the desk. "This is her usual spot," the chairman chuckled. Fuku often takes over a box intended for documents on Chairman Tsukasa Ishihara's desk — Kawakita Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) President Yunosuke Otani and Fuku — Kawakita Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. (©Sankei by Shuji Ozaki) Throughout the shoot, the staff watched over Fuku and me with warm smiles the whole time. You can catch glimpses of Fuku's everyday life on Nissho's official Instagram (@nissho_1974). Executive Director Ayumi Shimizu, who keeps the closest eye on her, has captured moments that first-time visitors like me simply couldn't. As a true cat fan, I promised myself that next time I visit, I'll get closer to Fuku and capture the spoiled side of her that she only shows to the employees. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Shuji Ozaki, The Sankei Shimbun
Global News
11 hours ago
- Global News
Metro Vancouver blasted for shelving review of sewage treatment plant debacle
The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant is $3 billion over budget and will cost taxpayers for decades. Late Friday, Metro Vancouver directors held a secret vote and decided to shelve a review of the debacle. Metro Vancouver claims it's putting the review on hold because of ongoing litigation with the project's former contractor, Acciona. The trial isn't scheduled to start until 2027. 2:00 A tour of Metro Vancouver's controversial wastewater treatment plant 'Absolutely deplorable that they did this,' said New Westminster Councillor Daniel Fontaine. Story continues below advertisement 'Taxpayers are not going to get answers likely now until at least after the next civic election, which is completely unacceptable.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy BC Conservative MLA and municipal affairs critic Tony Luck also weighed in, saying, 'David Eby should be stepping in and asking for that review to continue. There's no reason for it to be shut down.' Over the past year, Eby has promised repeatedly to take action on Metro Vancouver's failures. On July 17, 2024, he said, 'It is high time for Metro Vancouver to bring in an auditor to have a look at that.' On July 24, 2024, he commented, 'If Metro Vancouver fails to meet those standards, the province will step in.' 1:59 Fired wastewater plant contractor fires back at Metro Vancouver On Sept. 10, 2024, Eby said, 'But if they fail to do it, the province will step in.' On Jan. 22, 2025, 'This review can't come a moment too soon.' And on July 25, 2025, Eby said, 'If they can',t then the province is prepared to step in.' Story continues below advertisement Monday morning, July 28th, he said, 'We'll have a look at the justification for the decision by Metro Vancouver and how to move forward. But the bottom line is that Metro Vancouver needs to ensure accountability for taxpayers and, we'll make sure that that happens.' For its part, Metro Vancouver refuses to say which directors voted to delay the review, and claims it 'has maintained a clear and consistent record of public disclosure.' Fontaine said Eby needs to call an inquiry through the Local Government Act or allow the auditor general to intervene.
Global News
12 hours ago
- Global News
AUPE, province agree to renewed mediation in last attempt at deal
Alberta and the union representing thousands of provincial government employees say they have agreed to a new round of mediated bargaining. Guy Smith, the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, said the renewed talks are considered the final opportunity for getting a new deal for some 23,000 government workers after 18 months of bargaining. Smith credits Finance Minister Nate Horner for stepping in to restart talks with the AUPE and recognizing the importance of continuing negotiations. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The union and the government have agreed not to disclose their bargaining positions publicly but Smith says the outstanding issues are pay and working conditions. In May, the union voted 90 per cent in favour of striking, and the strike vote will remain valid until mid-September. Smith says if the new round of talks goes well and ends with an agreement or settlement proposal, a vote of union members would take place in early September. Story continues below advertisement 'Our goal is clear and supported by our members: a fair agreement that addresses the real concerns of the front-line workers who carry this province on their shoulders every day,' Smith said. 'We are prepared to work around the clock to get there.'
