Overview
- North Carolina Highway Patrol said the incident happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday on US-74 in Swain County near Bryson City, and the eagle had left before troopers arrived.
- The recorded 911 call, obtained by local media, captures the driver reporting the impact and stating the cat was deceased; an official photo shows a large hole in the passenger-side windshield.
- Local reports identified the driver as 28-year-old Melissa Schlarb, who described the aftermath, had the car towed, and is navigating insurance questions.
- Trooper Kosal Thach said a witness saw the cat “fighting” with the eagle in mid-air before it fell, while authorities have reported no further enforcement action.
- Wildlife officials note bald eagles can carry small prey and may scavenge or drop items if they struggle or are too heavy, though the cat’s origin and condition before the fall remain unclear.