O.J. Simpson’s white Ford Bronco SUV became iconic during a two-hour police chase in 1994. The chase ensued after Simpson fled, with his friend driving, following his being charged with the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. The spectacle unfolded as 20 LAPD squad cars pursued the Bronco amidst cheers and waves from onlookers.
On April 10th, 76-year-old O.J. Simpson passed away, succumbing to cancer. His family confirmed the news the following day in a post, expressing their loss and mentioning his surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Despite his professional success as a former football player and actor, Simpson’s life was significantly marred by the trial and subsequent acquittal for the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.
During the chase, Simpson reportedly held a gun to his friend’s head from the backseat of the Bronco as they traversed Southern California for two hours. The pursuit, a 60-mile journey, involved a convoy of LAPD squad cars and occurred alongside the 405 Freeway. This event marked the first televised slow-speed car chase and captured the attention of approximately 95 million viewers, highlighting the widespread public interest in the case.
Ultimately, Simpson surrendered at his home in Brentwood, leading to his arrest. However, he never served time for the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend. Instead, Simpson faced legal consequences later in life, serving nine years of a 33-year sentence for charges related to kidnapping and armed robbery.
The white Ford Bronco chase remains a pivotal moment in both Simpson’s life and in the annals of American criminal history, symbolizing a dramatic chapter in the saga surrounding his legal troubles.