Bald Eagle Drops Cat Through Car Windshield in Unprecedented North Carolina Incident

     BRYSON CITY, N.C. – A motorist in western North Carolina was left shaken and bewildered on Wednesday, November 19, when a bald eagle dropped a cat onto her vehicle, causing the feline to crash through the front passenger side of the windshield. The bizarre collision, which occurred on U.S. Route 74 near Bryson City in Swain County, was confirmed by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and quickly became a national headline.

     The driver, who has not been publicly identified, was traveling at approximately 55 miles per hour around 8:17 a.m. when the incident occurred. In a now widely-reported 911 call, the incredulous driver told the dispatcher, "You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield. It absolutely shattered my windshield." The dispatcher, after a brief moment, responded with calm assurance, "I do believe you, honestly," and noted that a witness had called the event "the craziest thing I've ever seen."

     The cat, which reportedly hit the windshield with enough force to shatter the glass and then traveled through the vehicle, did not survive the impact. The driver, however, was not injured and was able to pull her vehicle safely to the side of the road. Troopers who arrived on the scene confirmed the strange nature of the crash, with one report noting that a witness had seen the cat "fighting" with the bird in mid-air just before the drop.

     Wildlife experts consulted on the matter stated that while the incident is highly unusual, it is plausible. Bald eagles are native to the mountainous western region of North Carolina and are opportunistic feeders, often scavenging roadkill. While they can carry animals the size of a cat, which typically weigh between 8 to 15 pounds, it is more challenging for them to take a live animal of that size. Kendrick Weeks, a supervisor with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, confirmed that a cat could have been a recent roadkill scavenged by the bird. Furthermore, eagles and other raptors will sometimes drop prey if they lose their grip, if the prey is struggling too much, or if they are harassed by another bird, leading to the unfortunate and shocking collision.

     The driver was provided with a ride home after her vehicle was towed, leaving behind a truly unbelievable story of an unexpected encounter with America's national bird.