Door County authorities are trying to figure out how a motorist ended up near the top of the east arm of the Maple-Oregon Bridge across Sturgeon Bay after the arms of the drawbridge were lifted to a 45-degree angle.

Photographs of a car precariously perched in a downward position were circulating via e-mail Friday while authorities tried to find the woman who was driving the car.

"This car was rising, similar to a ride at Great America," Sturgeon Bay police Capt. Arleigh Porter said.

"Apparently the bridge tender noticed, lowered the bridge and after a short conversation she goes on her way."

The incident happened about 6 p.m. Thursday, but police didn't learn about it until after news reporters began calling to confirm the authenticity of the photos, Porter said.

"At first we thought someone was just playing around with Photoshop," Porter said. "It really is amazing."

"It appears to be human error," Porter said.

Police said they were hoping that the motorist will contact them.

"She's not in any trouble," Porter said. "We just want to talk to her and find out how this happened so we can make sure that it doesn't happen again."

"I want to ask her what was going through her mind and how hard she had that brake pushed down."

- Jesse Garza