A bald eagle that was rescued by a trooper after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday morning on Florida's Turnpike is recovering at Maitland's bird of prey center.

  • Bald eagle was struck by vehicle on Florida's Turnpike
  • Bird was stunned; trooper put it in his patrol car
  • Eagle recovering at Maitland bird of prey center

Trooper Julio Velez rescued the bald eagle on Florida's Turnpike near St. Cloud.

A Jeep Cherokee was traveling northbound on the Turnpike, near mile marker 230, when the eagle flew into the path of the Jeep, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The eagle struck the windshield and was stunned. Velez placed the bird in his patrol car, and animal rescue workers were called.

The eagle was taken to Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland. It is in good condition, with no broken bones, and is expected to recover.

The driver of the Jeep was not injured.


Workers at Audubon Center for Birds of Prey care for a male bald eagle Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2016 that was struck on Florida's Turnpike and rescued by a trooper a day earlier. (Kenneth Ashlin, staff)


X-ray images of the eagle taken at the bird of prey center in Maitland showed no broken bones. (Kenneth Ashlin, staff)