Bald Eagle Drops Cat Through Windshield Shocking US Highway Driver

A driver travelling on a busy highway in North Carolina went through a shocking and unbelievable moment when a cat suddenly crashed through their car windshield. The driver later told 911 that the cat was dropped from the sky by a bald eagle flying overhead.

The incident happened on US Route 74 in Swain County, near Bryson City, close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It occurred on a regular morning when the driver was heading along the highway, with no warning of the unusual event about to unfold.

According to the 911 audio recording, the driver sounded confused and shaken while explaining what had happened. They told the dispatcher, “You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield.” The impact shattered the passenger-side windshield and left the caller in shock.

The driver explained that they were driving normally when they suddenly saw something falling rapidly toward the car. Before they could react, the cat hit the windshield with force, breaking the glass and scattering pieces inside the vehicle. Fortunately, the driver escaped without injuries.

The dispatcher tried to keep the driver calm and said they believed the story. The caller then added that a witness who was travelling nearby had also seen the bald eagle carrying the cat before dropping it. The witness told the driver that it was “the craziest thing” they had ever seen on the road.

After the fall, the cat was found lying on the side of the road and had unfortunately died from the impact. The driver confirmed to the dispatcher that the animal did not survive.

This unusual event highlights how bald eagles, which are strong birds of prey, sometimes carry animals while flying. Experts say that bald eagles may drop what they are carrying if they lose balance, get frightened, or struggle to hold on. In this case, the eagle likely released the cat while flying over the highway.

This incident is not the first time bald eagles have created surprising situations in the United States. In 2020, a bald eagle attacked and destroyed a government drone flying over a lake in Michigan by knocking off one of its propellers. Officials believed the bird either felt threatened by the drone or mistook it for prey.

According to wildlife authorities, the population of bald eagles in the US has grown steadily over the years. Today, there are around 316,700 bald eagles across the country. Although once considered endangered, they have made a strong comeback due to conservation efforts.

This incident on US Route 74 left the driver shaken but unharmed, and it has become one of the most unusual animal-related road stories reported in recent times.