A North Carolina motorist survived a freak accident when a bald eagle dropped a cat carcass through her car windshield, shattering the glass but causing no injuries. The incident, which occurred on a highway near the Great Smoky Mountains, was captured in a stunned 911 call where the driver recounted the surreal event.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Melissa Schlarb was driving to her job at a bank in western North Carolina along US Highway 74 in Swain County. As she marveled at the sight of a bald eagle overhead, the bird suddenly released a cat that plummeted directly into her windshield. The impact sounded like an explosion, sending glass shards throughout the vehicle and covering Schlarb in debris.
Immediately after the collision, Schlarb pulled over and called 911, beginning the conversation with the now-viral line: “You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield.” The dispatcher, maintaining remarkable composure, assured her she believed the account and noted she had “heard crazier” incidents before. Another driver who witnessed the event helped guide Schlarb to safety off the busy highway.
The cat was already deceased upon impact, and its remains ended up on the passenger seat and roadside. Schlarb described seeing “guts all over me” and glass everywhere inside her car. Despite the shocking nature of the accident, she emerged physically unharmed, though understandably shaken by the experience.
Wildlife experts provided context for the bizarre occurrence. Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Program supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, explained that bald eagles commonly scavenge and might have picked up roadkill. “They can take animals the size of a cat,” Weeks stated, noting it’s much harder for them to capture live cats than dead ones. Scavenging represents typical behavior for these raptors.
Weeks detailed several reasons eagles might drop prey mid-flight, including poor grip, struggling prey that could injure the bird, harassment from other birds, or simply the weight becoming too burdensome. While some raptors intentionally drop prey to kill it, this behavior is uncommon in bald eagles. The incident highlights the complex interactions between wildlife and human environments.
Bald eagles, once threatened, have seen their populations rebound in North Carolina, with over 200 nesting pairs now inhabiting the state. These majestic birds typically weigh 6.5 to 13.5 pounds and can span 6 to 7 feet wingtip to wingtip. Their increasing presence brings more potential for unusual human-wildlife encounters like this one.
Reflecting on the incident, Schlarb expressed gratitude that the situation wasn’t worse. “I just thank God that it wasn’t a different scenario,” she said. “Even a shift a little bit more in my direction, that could have landed in my face. It could have been a completely different story. I may not even be here at this point.” The event serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability even during routine activities.
