OJ Simpson's Ford Bronco Chase Explained & How Long It Lasted

The series American Manhunt: OJ Simpson has quickly become one of Netflix's most popular documentaries owing to its detailed insights into one of the most famous cases in American history. The series begins with an overview of the murders and the events leading up to them, and it spends plenty of time on the famous Bronco chase that has become well-known in American culture. Beyond the events leading up to Simpson's trial, American Manhunt also details the trial itself and OJ Simpson's acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

In the 30 years since the murders and trial occurred, the events have held a fascination for the American public. The shocking and horrifying murders were combined with Simpson's celebrity, making the case national news from the jump. In fact, the OJ Simpson trial verdict was watched by millions of people. From the murders to the end of the trial, the OJ Simpson case lasted over a year, and while many of the events that occurred during this time have remained in the cultural zeitgeist, perhaps none have become quite so well-known as OJ Simpson's infamous Bronco chase.

OJ Simpson Fled From Police In Al Cowling's Ford Bronco After He Failed To Surrender

The Two Men Had The Same Car

On June 17, 1994, OJ Simpson was charged with first-degree murder for the killings of both Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Simpson had previously spent the night at the house of his friend and lawyer, Robert Kardashian, and was expected to surrender himself at 11 am that day. Due to Simpson's fame, the police felt that he should be able to turn himself over to police custody rather than be arrested, but he failed to show up at LAPD headquarters at the specified time. In anticipation of his arrest, hundreds of reporters had gathered at the station.

American Manhunt details the growing suspense among the reporters, police, and lawyers involved in the case when Simpson was nowhere to be found. By 1:50 pm, the LAPD officially considered Simpson a fugitive, and he and Al Cowlings were spotted on an LA freeway several hours later. Members of the LAPD interviewed in American Manhunt detailed their surprise at learning Simpson was in a white Bronco, as they knew they already had his Bronco in custody. Thus, rather than OJ Simpson driving his own car, Simpson was a passenger in his friend, Al Cowlings' car.

How Long OJ Simpson's Car Chase Lasted

Simpson's Car Chase Lasted 2 Hours

After the police and news outlets had been looking for Simpson for several hours, he was discovered in the white Bronco heading north on I-5 in Lake Forest just before 6 pm. His and Cowlings' location was confirmed when another driver called highway patrol to say that they had seen the Bronco. At this time, the police were able to begin tailing the vehicle, though they remained behind it because they had been warned that OJ Simpson had a gun pointed at himself. Around the same time, news helicopters located Cowlings' Bronco and began airing the chase on television.

As the chase continued and was televised, people began to appear at overpasses and along the road with signs in support of Simpson. As Cowlings drove and Simpson was in the backseat, the police as well as friends of Simpson attempted to get in contact with him to dissuade him from hurting himself. Cowlings and Simpson continued north on I-405 at 7:30 pm, making their way towards Simpson's house in Brentwood (via Los Angeles Times). The chase finally ended at 8PM when Cowlings and Simpson stopped at Simpson's home.

How Many People Watched OJ Simpson's Car Chase On TV

The Chase Became One Of The Most Watched Broadcasts Of All Time

According to Netflix's docuseries, American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, 95 million people watched the Bronco chase on TV. Every major news network covered the event, along with many local networks as well (via Entertainment Weekly). Because of the massive public interest in the case, television networks were able to quickly capitalize on the tragic events. Especially considering how uneasy Simpson's mental state was while in the car, the chase and the communications with Simpson became a massive talking point for reporters and his supporters in the public.

Notably, the NBA finals were interrupted by the broadcasting of OJ Simpson's slow-speed car chase. The June 17 car chase coincided with Game 5 of the NBA finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks. NBC went to split-screen coverage of both the chase and the game, with Bob Costas covering both. Even seeing the massive number of viewers written down, it's hard to grasp just how massive the event was after the fact. To put it in further context, the US population in 1994 was estimated to be 263.4 million (via US Census Bureau).

How The Police Attempted To Get OJ Simpson To End The Car Chase

They Used People He Knew To Convince Him

In an attempt to get OJ Simpson to end the car chase, the LAPD got people that knew Simpson to talk to him. Simpson's former football coach, John McKay, was able to connect to Simpson over the radio and talk to him. Along with several of Simpson's former teammates from USC, McKay pleaded with Simpson to end the chase peacefully and not to harm himself. This call echoed Simpson's lawyers' pleas that he turn himself in, following Robert Kardashian's reading of a letter left behind by Simpson.

Along with letting those who knew OJ Simpson well talk to him to try to end the chase, Detective Tom Lange also called Simpson multiple times to attempt to get him to peacefully surrender. Knowing that Simpson had a gun in the car, Detective Lange asked him to throw the gun out the window, a statement which he recounts in American Manhunt: OJ Simpson. By this point, it was very clear that Simpson was emotionally distressed and was attempting to get to his Brentwood home to speak with his mother, with the police and his friends attempting to safely convey him there.

How OJ Simpson's Car Chase Came To An End

Simpson Stopped At His House

After driving through Los Angeles for two hours, the Bronco chase ended at OJ Simpson's house in Brentwood at 8 pm. American Manhunt shows footage of Simpson's older son running toward the car, then Al Cowlings exiting the white Ford Bronco. At that point, authorities already knew where Simpson was heading, so there was a team of SWAT officers already at the house. Along with the strong police presence at Simpson's Los Angeles house, many fans also gathered there to voice their support for him.

Though the police had been at Simpson's house before he arrived, OJ Simpson did not leave his car until nearly an hour later. Netflix's new docuseries highlights how, when Simpson finally left the car, he was holding a photo of his family. After that point, he surrendered to the police and was transported to the Parker Center to finally be booked, over 10 hours after he was supposed to surrender himself.

What Was Found In The Ford Bronco After OJ Simpson Surrendered

Several Items Were Left In The Car

After OJ Simpson left Al Cowling's Bronco, the car was examined by police and several items were found inside. Notably, along with the gun that police knew Simpson was holding and family photos, he also had $8,000, his passport, extra clothing, and a disguise kit. It was unclear what exactly Simpson's plan was, but it was speculated whether he would try to leave the country. While this combination of objects does seem somewhat suspicious, prosecutor Marica Clark did not use it as evidence during his trial.

Given the legacy that has come to surround OJ Simpson's Bronco chase, it makes sense that American Manhunt would spend almost an entire episode explaining the events that day. Likewise, there is still interest in Cowlings Bronco, and it is available to visit today in the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Tennessee. However, because Simpson's own Bronco had already been taken into police custody as evidence as explained in American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, it has since been destroyed.

Source: Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, US Census Bureau