The Infamous O.J. Simpson White Ford Bronco is Closer to Louisiana Than You Might Think

The recent passing of O.J. Simpson has reignited conversations about one of the most notorious episodes in American pop culture: the infamous slow-speed chase involving O.J. in a white Ford Bronco. For the true-crime junkies fascinated by this piece of history, it might come as a surprise that the vehicle is not tucked away somewhere in California but much closer to home for those in Louisiana, parked in a crime museum in Tennessee.

On June 17, 1994, millions of television viewers were glued to their screens as Simpson, accompanied by his friend Al Cowlings, led police on a trickling chase through Los Angeles. This event, occurring shortly after the brutal killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, became one of the most significant monocultural events of the last 30 years. Today, that very Ford Bronco has found a permanent home at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The museum offers a unique glimpse into this bizarre chapter of American history. Taylor Smart from the Alcatraz East Crime Museum told the Associated Press that "everyone in America has a story to tell" about that moment, highlighting the deep impression it left nationwide. In a dedicated exhibit, the chase is continuously replayed on the walls surrounding the iconic vehicle, allowing visitors to step back in time to that day when we all seemed to find a television to watch the slow-seated chase pan out in real-time.

Before becoming a museum piece, the Bronco was meticulously preserved in air-conditioned storage, signifying its value as a historical artifact. Although visitors can't touch or enter the Bronco, the museum ensures everyone can admire it up close, and according to Smart, guests have shown great respect for the exhibit.

The intrigue surrounding Simpson has seen a resurgence with his recent death, bringing new visitors and renewed interest to the museum. People are drawn to revisit the infamous low-speed chase and the subsequent trial, dubbed "the trial of the century," where Simpson was famously found not guilty.

For those in Louisiana, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Tennessee is a short road trip away to see one of the most significant pieces of monocultural history.