Man throws $200K from car window on Oregon highway, causing chaos among drivers

PORTLAND, Ore. - A man who threw a large amount of cash from his car window on a highway in Eugene, Oregon, claimed that he wanted to "gift the money" to others, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).

The incident occurred on Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. when motorists reported that cash was "floating" on the side of the road. Troopers with the OSP later discovered that a driver named Colin Davis McCarthy, 38, was responsible for dispensing the cash, reportedly in $100-bill denominations, along the interstate.

"McCarthy told Troopers he wanted to gift the money, which he estimated at $200,000, however there wasn’t really a way to confirm how much money was ‘gifted,'" the OSP said in a statement provided to Nexstar.

Police say McCarthy agreed to stop dispensing cash along the street to prevent further traffic backups or accidents. The OSP added that troopers were unable to find any remaining cash along the road during both nighttime and daytime patrols.

"Motorists did a thorough job of gathering the loose money," they said.

The OSP cautioned drivers to refrain from trying to find any themselves, stating that "these searches create a hazardous condition and put both the searchers and motorists at risk."

McCarthy has not been charged with anything "at this time," police said. However, they had been in contact with one of the driver's family members, who claimed the money was not all his but came from a shared account. The family had also reportedly asked that anyone in possession of the cash take it to the Oregon State Police to be returned.

The incident has left many people wondering about McCarthy's motives for throwing such a large amount of cash out of his car window. The OSP has not provided any further information on the matter.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one was a victim in this or a similar accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

If you would like to speak with an attorney about your potential case, we can connect you with an experienced injury lawyer who will provide you with a free, no-obligation case consultation - an attorney who will advance all case costs and will not collect a fee unless they win your case. Click here to get connected.