The thrill of a car chase gets hearts pounding, whether in Hollywood blockbusters or real life. But unlike the movies, where the hero always escapes in a blaze of glory, real-life chases often end with crumpled fenders and handcuffs. Thanks to dashcams, security cameras, and helicopters, many of these high-octane pursuits have been captured on video for the world to see. Here are 10 of the most unforgettable car chases ever caught on camera.
The O.J. Simpson White Bronco Chase (Los Angeles, 1994)
Pop culture is filled with iconic moments, but none as iconic as this infamous car chase. On June 17, 1994, O.J. Simpson, NFL star turned murder suspect, led the LAPD on a surreal low-speed chase through the freeways of Los Angeles in a white Ford Bronco. The chase wasn’t the high-speed thriller you’d expect but more like a drawn-out, suspense-filled soap opera with half of America glued to their TV screens. At 35 mph, Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings drove along I-405 while news helicopters captured every mile. Over 95 million viewers tuned in to see how it would end—only to have a passive arrest after two hours of tense waiting. Los Angeles practically shut down that day. There were even reports of bars refusing to change the channel from the Bronco pursuit, proving that this chase wasn’t just unforgettable—it was a purely cultural phenomenon.
The Knightstown Bank Robbery Getaway (Knightstown, Indiana, 2019)
Picture this movie scene (only to realize that this is reality): A sleepy town in Indiana suddenly becomes the setting of a “Grand Theft Auto” mission. On May 31, 2019, two men robbed a bank in Knightstown and tried to make a getaway in a bright red SUV. A state trooper spotted the suspicious vehicle almost immediately, kicking off a chase straight out of a Hollywood script. The suspects floored it through quiet residential neighborhoods, cutting across lawns like they were on a mission to mow down the entire town. Helicopters filmed the entire pursuit, showing the SUV narrowly avoiding a pit maneuver before crashing into a ditch. The bank robbers were arrested, but not before giving the town’s residents a show to remember. The icing on the cake? The police later discovered that these guys had chosen their getaway vehicle on Craigslist. Maybe they’d want to spring for a more discreet color next time.
The North Hollywood Shootout Chase (North Hollywood, California, 1997)
This one chase had Automatic rifles, body armor, and enough ammunition to make Rambo blush. On February 28, 1997, two heavily armed men robbed a Bank of America branch in North Hollywood. But the heist went bad fast, leading to a shootout with police that spanned more than 40 minutes. The suspects attempted to flee the scene, and what followed was an intense, chaotic car chase through the streets of Los Angeles. News helicopters captured the gunmen firing indiscriminately at police and civilians alike while trying to make their escape. In the end, one of the suspects was fatally shot by officers, while the other succumbed to his injuries after being captured. The footage of this chase is still replayed in police training videos, but for everyone else, it’s an unforgettable reminder of how dangerous the streets can get when the bad guys go all out.
The Texas Two-Step (Dallas, Texas, 2012)
Car chases are only one of the bigger things that Texas does. Once, a man in Dallas attempted to steal a car in March 2012 and avoid detection by the police in what ended up being the automobile equivalent of square dancing. The suspect’s attempt to escape spike strips and darting in and out of traffic created a captivating pandemonium ballet captured on live television. The suspect led police cruisers on a fast-moving, multi-county pursuit as they followed. However, the ultimate climax occurred when he abruptly left the freeway, lost control of the vehicle, and rolled it into a ditch. He leaped out and tried to escape on foot (a common theme in these cases) but was quickly tackled by an officer with more enthusiasm than grace. Lesson learned: you can’t outrun the law, especially in cowboy country.
The Miami Motorcycle Mayhem (Miami, Florida, 2016)
Motorcycles, speed, and Miami sunshine. Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a chase scene. In 2016, one motorcyclist decided to take Miami police on a white-knuckle pursuit through the city streets and highways, all the while livestreaming the event on social media. Yes, you read that correctly—the suspect was live-broadcasting his chase, giving followers a front-row seat to his bad decisions. This daredevil zipped between cars, blew through red lights, and narrowly avoided accidents at every turn. It looked like he might pull off a Hollywood-style escape for a moment. However, it wasn’t long before his wannabe main character moment ended, and the police caught up with him. He was arrested, and his livestream, complete with commentary, became one of the most-watched videos in 2016.
The Melbourne Freeway Frenzy (Melbourne, Australia, 2015)
Who knew that in a country like Australia, which is famous (or infamous) for its kangaroos and dangerous animals, it would be a wild car chase that would grab all the headlines? In 2015, a man fleeing police in Melbourne sped down the M1 freeway in a stolen car, hitting speeds of over 100 mph. But unlike most of the pursuits on this list, this one took an unusual turn when the driver decided to throw things out the window—specifically, wads of cash. Yes, the suspect started tossing handfuls of money to bystanders as he swerved through traffic, almost like an Oprah episode: “You get a dollar, and you get a dollar!” Unfortunately for him, generosity didn’t buy freedom. How did the chase end, you ask? The driver collided with another vehicle, was arrested, and then taken into custody. His impromptu cash giveaway, however, made him an unlikely folk hero, if only for a moment.
The Pennsylvania Firetruck Fiasco (Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 2017)
Stealing a car during a chase is one thing, but in 2017, one man in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, took it up a notch by stealing a firetruck. Yes, a full-sized, red firetruck, complete with ladders and sirens. The suspect hijacked the truck and led police on a slower and more cumbersome than thrilling chase. But the sight of a firetruck chased down the highway by police cars was unforgettable. Despite its size, the firetruck barreled through intersections and residential streets until officers managed to stop it with a spike strip. The suspect was arrested, but not before becoming a local legend for the most ridiculous getaway vehicle choice in Pennsylvania history.
The Norwegian Highway Hijinks (Oslo, Norway, 2014)
When you think of Norway, you probably imagine peaceful fjords, not high-speed car chases. But in 2014, a car thief changed that narrative when he stole a car in Oslo and led police on a high-speed chase spanned multiple highways. What made this chase particularly interesting was the suspect’s attempt to swap cars midway through the pursuit—a move more common in video games than in real life. After realizing his stolen car was running out of gas, the suspect hijacked a passing vehicle and continued his escape. The new car didn’t help much, to no one’s surprise. Police eventually caught up with him after a dramatic crash on a winding mountain road. The chase was broadcast across Norway, with footage replayed on national TV for weeks.
The West Yorkshire Tractor Chase (West Yorkshire, England, 2019)
If you’ve ever driven behind a tractor, you know they’re not exactly built for speed. But that didn’t stop one man in West Yorkshire from attempting to escape the law in a stolen one. In January 2019, this slow-motion chase began when the police spotted the stolen tractor weaving down a country road at a snail’s pace. To make matters worse, the suspect wasn’t precisely a Formula 1 driver—his steering was all over the place. For over an hour, police followed the swerving tractor, unable to safely stop it without causing damage to the nearby fields. The chase finally ended when the tractor hit a hedge, and the driver was arrested. Well, maybe it wasn’t the fastest chase, but it was one of the strangest.
The Pizza Delivery Pursuit (San Francisco, California, 2009)
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a pizza delivery driver turns rogue, look no further than this bizarre 2009 chase in San Francisco. A pizza delivery man, angry after being fired from his job, decided to steal one of his company’s delivery vehicles and lead the police on a wild ride through the city’s famously steep streets. With pizzas still in the back, he raced down hills, took corners recklessly, and nearly collided with a streetcar. The chase ended when the driver attempted to flee on foot (after ditching the pizzas, of course) but was tackled by a police officer. The pizzas, sadly, didn’t make it to their final destination, but the footage lives on as a testament to how far people will go when they’ve had enough.
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
When you think of supercars, names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren often come to mind, along with their staggering price tags. However, high-performance vehicles aren’t exclusively reserved for the super-rich. There exists a sweet spot where speed, style, and (relatively) sensible pricing converge, offering thrilling rides without completely obliterating your bank account. Hop in as we explore 14 underrated supercars under $100K.
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
