Dead Fish Falls from Sky, Smashes Tesla Windshield in New Jersey

Unfortunate Encounter

A New Jersey Tesla owner had an unexpected surprise when he discovered a dead fish near the smashed windshield of his car. The incident was captured on the vehicle’s onboard cameras, showing the moment of impact as the flounder fell from the sky.

A Feathered Culprit

Jeff and Cynthia Levine, residents of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, believe that an eagle or another bird of prey dropped the fish onto their Tesla. The couple lives close to the Navesink River and Sandy Hook Bay, where numerous fish reside. The Levines suspect that an eagle snatched up a fish from one of these water bodies before accidentally dropping it on their car, resulting in the destruction of the windshield.

Startling Honking

Upon impact, the car’s honking alarm went off, surprising the Levines. Cynthia recalled, “The car started honking, it went crazy honking which we had never heard, I didn’t know how to turn it off.” The couple went outside to investigate and discovered fish scales and blood on the windshield. Video footage captured the moment of impact and the damage caused by the falling fish.

Possible Eagle Nest

The Levines suspect that the eagle responsible for dropping the fish resides in an eagle’s nest located in their backyard. However, they did not disclose the eagle’s identity, possibly out of concern for its safety. Jeff jokingly appealed to other birds in the area, saying, “I lowered my deductibles so if any birds are listening, please don’t drop it here because I’m covered now.”

Previous Incidents

Interestingly, this is not the first time a falling fish has caused significant damage in New Jersey. In August of 2023, another fish fell from the sky, landing on a power line and causing a blackout for several hours.

Authorities’ Humorous Response

Local authorities responded to the incident with humor, referring to the fallen fish as Gilligan. In a lighthearted post, they stated, “Gilligan was a hardworking family man. He was a father to thousands of children. The suspect was last seen flying South. If you see him, do not try to apprehend him.” It is advisable to treat these incidents with caution, as many eagles are protected by state and federal laws, making retaliation illegal.