“There was no fighting, none of that. It was really beautiful,” an employee at the car wash said
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/flying-money-62-062725-d17db7d514c94e5db5b3f455a1038b40.jpg)
US dollar bills floating among skyscrapers in a blue sky.Credit :
getty
One man’s final wish was to show his community love with a cash drop from the sky.
On Friday, June 27, around 1 p.m., in East Detroit, the man’s last request was fulfilled when a helicopter dropped thousands of dollars in cash onto pedestrians in the area of Gratiot Avenue and Conner Street, the Detroit News reports.
Lisa Knife, an employee at Airport Express Lube & Service, told the outlet that the late owner of a nearby car wash had made the money drop his last wish. She said he died of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Knife told the outlet that she estimated that the helicopter dropped thousands of dollars onto the street. “Everybody got a little bit,” she said.
Anaya Toney, an employee at nearby business Motor City Coney Island, realized what was falling from the sky just before she started her shift. She recalled for the outlet that “there were so many people,” adding, “it was actually kind of crazy.”
She noted that all six lanes of traffic came to a stop when people exited their cars to rush toward the falling bills. Knife said a part of the street was shut down for 30 minutes.
Knife added that although drivers and pedestrians ran for the money, it was a peaceful, albeit hectic, moment.
“There was no fighting, none of that,” she said. “It was really beautiful.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
A representative for the Detroit Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.
Detroit Stunned as Late Car Wash Owner Drops Dollars From a Helicopter in Farewell Tribute
Cash rained from the sky in East Detroit, a jaw-dropping final act from a car wash owner who turned his goodbye into a citywide celebration. On June 27, 2025, at about 1 p.m., a helicopter hovered over Gratiot Avenue and Conner Street, releasing thousands of dollars onto the streets below. This wasn’t a stunt or a prank; it was the heartfelt dying wish of a local business owner, fulfilled on the day of his funeral, leaving everyone who witnessed it buzzing with amazement.
The man behind this unforgettable viral moment owned Airport Express Lube & Service, a well-known spot at 10490 Gratiot Ave. Though his name hasn’t been shared publicly, his battle with Alzheimer’s disease ended recently, and he left behind a plan to shower his community with love. Videos of the event blowing up on social media show bills fluttering down as people reach up and grab what they can. Remarkably, the crowd stayed calm, with no fights or chaos, just shared excitement.
Lisa Knife, who works at the car wash, said it was her boss’s last request, a way to give back one final time. She estimated thousands of dollars floated down, a testament to the owner’s generosity. The drop happened right as his funeral took place, tying his farewell to this bold gesture. Nobody knows exactly why he chose this dramatic exit, but it’s clear he wanted his community to feel his appreciation in a big way.
Whoever pulled it off, likely family or close friends, made sure every detail was perfect. The helicopter, timing, and location all came together to create a moment Detroit won’t forget. This wasn’t just about money; it was about leaving a mark, showing love for a neighborhood that meant so much to him.
Other Americans have left their own wild final wishes, proving people find all kinds of ways to say goodbye. Back in 1963, author Aldous Huxley asked for an LSD dose on his deathbed, chasing one last mind-expanding moment. Joe DiMaggio, the baseball legend, whispered about seeing Marilyn Monroe again before passing in 1999, a nod to a love that never faded. Aretha Franklin’s death in 2018 sparked a legal mess when her handwritten will surfaced, showing how even the Queen of Soul’s final wishes stirred drama.