Fish falls from the sky, smashes Tesla car windshield in Atlantic Highlands

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - Add bluefish falling out of the sky to the list of perils living at the Jersey Shore.

Cynthia and Jeff Levine had no idea what smashed the windshield of their 2023 Tesla Y in their driveway on Sunday afternoon. Cynthia said the car alarm started beeping and when they went to investigate, they saw their windshield was shattered in a bullseye pattern.

Their only clues were traces of blood and fish scales, but no fish in sight — at first. But then the sleuthing began.

"We were baffled. We looked at the garage camera and there was nothing. Then we went to the Tesla's dashcam and saw the fish fall out of the sky, bounce off the windshield and land in the garage," said Cynthia Levine.

Life in the sea:NJ record lobster caught by Ocean County diver; no one will ever beat that record

Sure, enough, the Levine's found a one-pound bluefish on the garage floor, which had been open that the time. Levine said the most logical explanation is a bird fished it out of the water and dropped it by mistake. Bluefish are a very common gamefish to the Jersey Shore that easily grow to 10 or more pounds.

She said the fish had what looked like talon marks in its flesh and the culprit might be an eagle that nests near their home. Other birds of prey such as ospreys are often seen at the Shore carrying fish from the bay or ocean to their nests.

The next step for the Levines is proving to the insurance company that a bluefish hit their car. They had the car towed Monday morning for the repair. Working in their favor is the fact that it's not the first time a fish falling from the sky has caused havoc.

Animal news:Seagull decapitated at Morey's Pier; Cape May man charged with animal cruelty

Last August, JCP&L said a fish caused a power outage when it hit a transformer and caused it to explode in Sayreville. Police even drew a sketch of a bird, their lead suspect, in a tongue-in-cheek news release.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.