Grace Kelly, actress and Princess of Monaco was one of the most elegantly beautiful and talented women of her time. While her Hollywood career was short-lived due to her royal obligations, she left a significant mark on pop culture and Hollywood as a whole, starring in films like High Noon and Rear Window.
Grace Kelly’s life came to a tragic end in 1982 when she suffered from a mild cerebral hemorrhage while driving her 1972 Rover P6 3500 on her way back to Monaco. She lost control of her vehicle, driving off the mountainside. Her daughter, Stephanie, survived, but Grace Kelly succumbed to her injuries the next day.
On October 24, 1973, a devastating pileup occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike near Hamilton Township. Heavy fog and limited visibility caused a chain-reaction crash involving over 65 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses.
The accident resulted in nine fatalities and numerous injuries. Emergency responders faced significant challenges due to the scale of the collision and the dense fog. This tragic event highlighted the dangers of driving in poor visibility conditions and led to discussions about improving road safety measures.
James Dean was perhaps the embodiment of the phrase live fast, die young. The Rebel Without A Cause was one of the best actors of his generation and starred in some excellent films that left a lasting mark on Hollywood. But his life was, too, cut short due to an automobile accident.
As an auto racing enthusiast, Dean was prone to reckless driving and owned numerous sportscars. He even had dreams of racing the Indy 500. Those dreams came to an end in September 1955 when he was driving along Route 466 that day, where he collided with a 1950 Ford Tudor.
The Caldecott Tunnel fire occurred on April 7, 1982, in the third bore of the tunnel near Oakland, California. A truck carrying flammable materials collided with several cars, igniting a blaze that spread rapidly.
The intense heat and smoke caused significant damage to the tunnel and resulted in the deaths of seven individuals. Emergency responders faced considerable challenges due to the confined space and hazardous conditions.
Bob Simon was a CBS news correspondent who garnered 27 Emmy awards and three Peabody awards. Having covered the Vietnam War and spent nearly 20 years on 60 Minutes, he was recognized in millions of households during his time.
While he lived to the ripe old age of 73, his time was cut short thanks to a car accident on the West Side Highway in Manhattan. He collided with another vehicle and was found unconscious on the highway, sustaining several head injuries.
Hank Williams was a legendary American singer-songwriter, widely considered one of the most influential figures in country music history. Hits like "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Hey Good Lookin'" became country classics, while his innovative blend of blues and country helped shape the genre into what it is today.
While Hank Williams didn't die in a car accident, he did pass away in a car. The cause of Williams's death at the young age of 29 remains somewhat inconclusive. At the time, the official cause was ruled as heart failure. His chronic back pain led him to rely heavily on painkillers and other medications, and his struggles with alcoholism further compromised his health. At a pit stop, after driving for many hours, Williams's driver discovered that the country singer had been gone for so long that rigor mortis had kicked in.
On March 12, 1990, a massive pileup occurred on I-43 near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Blinding snow and icy road conditions contributed to the crash, which involved over 50 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and semis.
The pileup resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries. Emergency responders worked in harsh weather to rescue trapped motorists and clear the wreckage while authorities investigated the causes and response measures for such incidents.
Paul Walker was a case of life imitating art, imitating life. As a star of The Fast and the Furious, nobody was too surprised by the actor's love of fast cars, but they were surprised to see him go when his film franchise was going so strong.
Driving a 2005 Porsche Carrera, traveling at 80-90 mph in a 45 mph zone, Paul Walker's driver lost control of his vehicle and hit a concrete lamppost in Valencia, California. Paul Walker was believed to have passed away within seconds after impact.
Princess Diana, another royal whose life was taken by a tragic car accident, was taken by no fault of her own. Beloved by people all over the world, perhaps more than the Queen of England herself, the world mourned Princess Diana and her tragic end.
In August 1997, while fleeing the swarming paparazzi, Diana’s driver lost control of the vehicle at the entrance of the Pont de l'Alma underpass in Paris, France. They collided with a white Fiat, then swerved and hit the tunnel wall. Diana was just 36 years old.
The 1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster occurred on December 11 near Calhoun, Tennessee. Dense fog reduced visibility, leading to a series of collisions involving 99 vehicles. The pileup resulted in 12 fatalities and multiple injuries.
Emergency services faced significant challenges due to the reduced visibility and the extensive wreckage. The incident prompted discussions about improving safety measures in fog-prone areas and the use of technology to warn drivers of hazardous conditions.
Anne Heche had been an actress since the ‘90s and had a highly publicized relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. She starred in successful films like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Six Days, Seven Nights and John Q. While she had a fruitful career in Hollywood, she also suffered behind the scenes, as she revealed speaking out against Harvey Weinstein during the #MeToo movement.
Anne Heche, who suffered from mental illness and substance abuse, ended up being involved in three different car crashes before succumbing to injuries on the final third crash. She struck an apartment garage before fleeing, then a Jaguar before fleeing again. The third crash occurred when she struck a house and her vehicle caught fire.
The 1991 Interstate 5 dust storm occurred on November 29 near Coalinga, California. High winds stirred up thick dust, severely reducing visibility and causing a series of collisions involving 104 vehicles.
The incident resulted in 17 fatalities and numerous injuries. Emergency responders faced difficulties due to the low visibility and the scale of the crash. Authorities investigated the causes and considered measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Duane Allman, best known as the original lead of the Allman Brothers Band, formed the musical group in 1969. Widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
That was almost 24 years after his demise. In 1971, at the age of 24, he was involved in a motorcycle crash after hitting a flatbed truck in the middle of an intersection. He was thrown off his motorcycle, which then landed on him.
Bessie Smith was a jazz singer nicknamed the ”Empress of Blues.” Like Duane Allman, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame posthumously. However, it was over 50 years after her demise when she was finally recognized.
At the age of 43, in 1937, Bessie Smith was involved in a car crash along Route 61. Her boyfriend Richard Morgan was driving when he misjudged the speed of a truck and hit the rear of the truck at high-speed. Her grave had remain unmarked until 1970, when Janis Joplin erected a tomb in her name.
On October 11, 2002, a major pileup occurred on I-43 near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. Dense fog and slick road conditions led to a chain-reaction crash involving nearly 50 vehicles.
The incident resulted in ten deaths and significant property damage. Emergency responders faced challenges due to the low visibility and the number of vehicles involved.
S. Patton Jr. was a highly decorated U.S. Army general known for his aggressive tactics and leadership style during WWII. He commanded armored forces with great success in North Africa, Sicily and Europe, and he was renowned for his strategical feats. His personality was another story…
Ultimately, it wasn’t on the battlefield where Patton met his end – it was an automobile accident. The Cadillac limousine he was riding in collided with an American Army truck at low speed. About 12 days later, Patton succumbed to his injuries. He was buried on Christmas Eve in 1945.
Ryan Dunn, made famous for his whacky, foolhardy stunts on the MTV show and film series Jackass, launched his career in the late ‘90s. Long-time friends with his co-star Bam Margera, Dunn was just 34 years old when he met his end.
In 2011, Dunn and Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant on one of his films were in a Porsche 911 GT3 that went off the road and struck a tree at high speed. The vehicle burst into flames with both of them inside the vehicle.
On January 29, 2012, the Gainesville “Superfog” pileup occurred on Interstate 75 in Florida. A combination of smoke from a nearby brush fire and dense fog reduced visibility to near zero, causing a series of collisions involving over 20 vehicles.
The pileup resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Emergency responders navigated difficult conditions to assist victims and clear the scene. The incident raised concerns about the impacts of “superfog” on road safety and the importance of timely warnings for drivers.
Jackson Pollock, famous for his drip technique paintings, is one of the most famous painters of all time, especially of the abstract expressionist period. While the legitimacy of his art was met with criticism, nobody can deny the tragedy surrounding his demise.
In 1956, Jackson Pollock was just 44 years old when he was involved in a car crash in his convertible Oldsmobile while driving under the influence of alcohol. At the time, he was struggling with alcoholism, and it ended up claiming his life.
On August 26, 2019, a semi-truck crash occurred on Interstate 70 in Lakewood, Colorado. The truck lost control and collided with multiple vehicles, resulting in a massive fire.
The crash caused significant traffic disruption and led to four deaths and several injuries. Emergency crews responded quickly to extinguish the fire and manage the scene. The incident led to an investigation into the causes and the truck driver's actions leading up to the crash.
Actress and model Jayne Mansfield, known for her platinum blond hair and films like The Girl Can't Help It, was often compared to Marilyn Monroe at the time. And much like Marilyn Monroe, her life came to an abrupt end.
In 1967, Mansfield was leaving Biloxi, Mississippi, riding in a car with her attorney and partner after midnight. Her driver was driving down U.S. Highway 90 when their Buick crashed into a Johnson Motor Freight Lines tractor-trailer. Mansfield suffered from significant head trauma and succumbed to her injury.
Lisa Lopes of the R&B girl group TLC, known for hits like “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs,” was essentially the brainchild of the group, co-writing more songs than the other two members. Through her work, TLC went on to earn four Grammy Awards.
Following TLC, she had a short-lived solo career that ended too soon. Sadly, she was involved in a fatal car crash in 2002, speeding in a rental SUV in Honduras. Four of her passengers were injured but survived. She did not.
On February 11, 2021, a devastating pileup occurred on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth, Texas, due to freezing rain and icy conditions. The chain-reaction crash involved over 130 vehicles.
Six people lost their lives, and dozens more were injured. Emergency responders worked in freezing temperatures to rescue trapped individuals and clear the wreckage.
"Macho Man" Randy Savage, a professional wrestler, was a member of the WWF and WCW – considered to be one of the best. He’d also appeared in numerous television series, including Mad About You, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Weird Al Show. However, his most memorable role would have to be the 2002 blockbuster film Spider-Man.
In 2011, Randy Savage was driving a Jeep Wrangler in Seminole, Florida, with his wife in the car. He suddenly became unresponsive and hit a tree. When the paramedics arrived, it was too late. His wife, however, survived. Randy was cremated five days later.
On June 19, 2021, Tropical Storm Claudette caused a major pileup on Interstate 65 near Greenville, Alabama. Heavy rain led to reduced visibility and slick roads, resulting in an accident involving multiple vehicles.
The pileup caused 10 fatalities, including nine children, and several injuries. Emergency responders faced challenging conditions as they worked to assist victims and clear the scene.
Bob Clark, the filmmaker behind Porky’s, A Christmas Story and Black Christmas, was really a hit-and-miss artist. He’d even earned himself two Razzie Awards – but that doesn’t make his death any less sad.
Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, in 2007, he and his 22-year-old son were involved in a fatal and devastating head-on collision. The driver of the SUV that hit Clark’s Infiniti I30 had been drinking three times the legal limit and was convicted of vehicular manslaughter.
On March 14, 2002, a severe pileup occurred on Interstate 75 in Catoosa County, Georgia. Dense fog contributed to a series of collisions involving 125 vehicles.
The incident resulted in four fatalities and 39 injuries. Emergency responders faced difficulties due to the low visibility and the large number of vehicles involved.
Brandon deWilde was best known for his role in the classic western Shane, in which he played Joey Starrett. In the film, he speaks one of its iconic closing lines: “Shane, come back!” For his role, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, which made him the youngest person to be nominated at the time in Oscar history.
While he never quite had a role as memorable, we’ll never know what more he could have done later in life. He was taken at just 30 years old. Driving alone, but without a seatbelt, he was involved in a traffic accident in Denver. His wife became a widow after just three months of marriage.
On January 6, 2004, a snow squall caused a major pileup on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. The sudden weather event led to a series of collisions involving over 50 vehicles.
The crash resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries. Emergency responders worked in challenging conditions to assist those involved and clear the wreckage. The incident was a grim reminder of rapid weather changes on highways.
Janet Gaynor, an actress of the silent film era and the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actress, lived until the ripe old age of 77. During her career, she was best known for her role in A Star is Born - a film that has been remade multiple times.
Janet Gaynor was involved in a car accident in 1982 that inflicted serious injuries that lead to numerous health complications. The taxi she was riding in was hit by a van running a red light. She’d never fully recover from those injuries, passing away two years later.
Dale Earnhardt, one of the most prolific NASCAR drivers of all time, raced stock cars from 1975 to 2001. He died doing what he loved, racing during the Daytona 500 in February 2001. The ensuing car crash led to new standards in NASCAR safety.
Dale Earnhardt is survived by his son, Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr., who went on to carry his legacy before retiring in 2018. However, sporadically, he has taken up racing every so often, not quite hanging up the racing suit for good.
On November 5, 2007, dense Tule fog caused a major crash on Highway 99 near Fresno, California. The pileup involved over 100 vehicles and resulted in two fatalities and 39 injuries.
The thick fog severely limited visibility, contributing to the series of collisions. Emergency responders faced difficult conditions as they worked to assist the injured and manage the extensive wreckage.
Cliff Burton, the first bassist of the thrash metal band Metallica, was with the band for its first three albums until he passed away in 1986—at the age of just 24. While his time with the band was short, he was never forgotten. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Sleeping on a tour bus in a bunk bed, the bus had allegedly hit a patch of ice on the road that flipped the bus over throwing Burton out the window with the bus falling on top of him. However, considering authorities could never find the patch of ice that allegedly led to the accident, many believe that the bus driver was intoxicated at the time, which ultimately would have caused the accident.
American rock and roll musician Eddie Cochran, friend of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens (and a huge influence on The Beatles), also met his end early in life - but not in a plane crash but a car crash. Riding in a taxi, the driver lost control of his vehicle, which crashed into a concrete lamppost.
Cochran was just 21 years old at the time, and in the moment of the crash, Cochran was said to have shielded his girlfriend (and songwriter) Sharon Sheely, but the force of the accident forced the rear door open and threw him out of the taxi. Cochran never regained consciousness after suffering severe head trauma, but Sheely survived.
On January 9, 2008, a dense fog caused a significant pileup on Interstate 4 in Polk County, Florida.
The accident involved 70 vehicles and resulted in four fatalities and 38 injuries. Low visibility due to the fog contributed to the chain-reaction collisions.
Sam Kinison, a well-known comedian and former Pentecostal preacher, died in a car crash on April 10, 1992. He was driving on U.S. Route 95 near Needles, California when his vehicle was hit head-on by a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old male who had been drinking.
After the collision, witnesses reported that Kinison appeared to be speaking to an unseen presence, saying, "I don't want to die." Moments later, he said, "Okay, okay," as if responding to someone, and then lost consciousness. Kinison succumbed to his injuries shortly after, marking a tragic end to his influential career in comedy.
On July 25, 2021, a sandstorm led to a major pileup on Interstate 15 in Millard County, Utah. The crash involved 22 vehicles and resulted in eight fatalities and several injuries.
Reduced visibility due to the sandstorm contributed to the collisions. It required multiple agencies responding to the scene to assist those affected and manage the situation.
Billy Martin, former Major League Baseball player and manager, died in a car crash on December 25, 1989. The accident occurred near his home in Fenton, New York, when Martin's pickup truck, driven by his friend William Reedy, skidded off an icy road and collided with a culvert.
Martin was pronounced dead at the scene due to severe head and neck injuries. Known for his fiery personality and multiple tenures managing the New York Yankees, Martin's death marked a sudden end to a storied baseball career.
Leslie Jordan, beloved actor and comedian known for his roles in "Will & Grace" and "American Horror Story," died in a car accident on October 24, 2022. The incident occurred in Hollywood, California when Jordan's vehicle veered off the road and struck a building.
Authorities believe he may have experienced a cardiac medical emergency before the crash. Jordan, whose career spanned television, film, and stage, was celebrated for his humor and warmth. His passing was mourned by fans and colleagues alike, marking a significant loss in the entertainment industry.
John Nash, the renowned mathematician and Nobel laureate known for his work in game theory and portrayed in the film "A Beautiful Mind," died in a car crash on May 23, 2015. Nash and his wife, Alicia, were passengers in a taxi on the New Jersey Turnpike when the driver lost control while attempting to pass another vehicle.
Both Nash and his wife were ejected from the car and pronounced dead at the scene. His death marked a tragic end to the life of an individual who made significant contributions to mathematics.
Harry Chapin, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and humanitarian, died in a car crash on July 16, 1981. The accident occurred on the Long Island Expressway in New York when Chapin's car was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer after it reportedly slowed or stopped in the center lane.
The impact caused his vehicle to burst into flames. Despite efforts to rescue him, Chapin succumbed to his injuries. Known for hits like "Cat's in the Cradle" and "Taxi," along with his extensive charitable work, Chapin's death marked a significant loss to both the music world and his philanthropic efforts.
Of course, not all accidents involving celebrities end in their demise. Sometimes, they just narrowly avoid meeting their maker. In 1990, Gloria Estefan was involved in a pileup accident caused by a tractor-trailer truck jackknifed on the highway.
Gloria Estefan suffered a spinal fracture from the accident and was in surgery for four hours as the surgeons fused her spine back together. They questioned whether she'd ever walk again.
The Terminator and the Governator himself has narrowly escaped an early grave several times throughout his life, including multiple motor vehicle incidents. In 2001, he was involved in a motorcycle accident, breaking six of his ribs and ending up in the hospital for four days. Another motorcycle accident in 2006 involved him and his son colliding with a car. While the son remained unharmed, Arnold had fifteen stitches in his lip.
In 2022, Arnold was involved in a multi-vehicle collision in which his GMC Yukon struck a Prius. While the driver of the Prius suffered head injuries, Arnold was unharmed.
Like Arnold, Caitlyn Jenner was involved in a multi-vehicle collision in 2015, driving a massive SUV. However, this incident ended in tragedy, with Kim Howe, an actress and animal rights activist as the victim.
While prosecutors denied filing charges, Kim Howe's family filed three separate lawsuits against Jenner. The cases were settled outside of court.
In 1987, Matthew Broderick, who was dating his on-screen sister from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Jennifer Grey, ended up in a car accident with the actress outside of Tempo, Northern Ireland.
Crossing into the wrong lane, he collided head-on with another vehicle. The driver and her mother did not survive the crash. Despite causing the accident, he was not charged with Northern Ireland's equivalent of manslaughter. Instead, he got a slap on the wrist - ordered to pay a small fine of about $175.
