Overview

• Darrell Thomas’s sons chartered a helicopter on June 27 to fulfill his final wish by scattering $5,000 and rose petals over Showroom Shine Express on Detroit’s Eastside.
• Footage of the money and petals drifting onto mourners went viral, earning widespread admiration on social media for the late entrepreneur’s generosity.
• Authorities were alerted solely to the aerial release of flowers and remained unaware of the cash drop, prompting no police action.
• The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a formal inquiry to determine whether dispersing currency from an aircraft violated federal aviation regulations.
• Thomas, who died on June 15 at age 58, was remembered as a philanthropist and National Hot Rod Association–licensed racer whose community spirit inspired the unconventional tribute.