Commuters in Seattle witnessed something straight out of a TV rerun this week when a stolen car went airborne over the University Bridge like it was auditioning for The Dukes of Hazzard. The wild midday stunt, caught on video, has gone viral for its jaw-dropping mix of danger, disbelief, and a flavor of a scene out of Hollywood.
A Bridge Jump Straight From Primetime
Around 12:25 p.m. Wednesday, police say a silver sedan reported stolen barreled toward the University Bridge just as its arms were lowering for a scheduled opening. Instead of stopping, the driver smashed through the safety gate and floored it, sending the car flying over the drawbridge as it tilted upward.
Witnesses described the heart-stopping leap as both terrifying and surreal. “I thought my eyes were playing tricks as the car literally flew over the bridge while it was coming up,” one onlooker said.
The vehicle landed with a crunch on the far side, busting its windshield and shredding its undercarriage. In true Dukes fashion, it plowed through the opposite gate arm before speeding off into Seattle streets.
Seattle Police confirmed the car was later found abandoned near NE 42nd Street and Pasadena Place NE, damaged from the leap. Despite deploying the Guardian One helicopter and multiple patrol units, the driver managed to vanish. Authorities say it’s a miracle no one else was hurt. The jump damaged city property and could have easily ended in disaster for bystanders, boaters, or anyone on the roadway.
Online, the incident quickly took on a life of its own. Memes branded the driver “Seattle’s General Lee,” referencing the orange Dodge Charger from the classic Dukes of Hazzard TV series known for its gravity-defying stunts.
While some locals shook their heads at the recklessness, others admitted the footage was hard not to watch on repeat. As one commenter joked: “Somebody cue the banjo music.”
Police, however, stressed the seriousness as stolen cars and dangerous stunts put lives at risk. The suspect, still unidentified, faces a long list of charges once caught.
For now, Seattle has its own Dukes of Hazzard moment and a viral clip that looks less like rush hour and more like a Hollywood outtake.
