You do not have permission to delete messages in this group, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, Imagine having to live with the knowledge you killed James Dean! Most people just don't THINK and are either in denial or don't care about living. His body was battered, and there were numerous broken bones and cuts. When the train arrived in Los Angeles, Barris said he signed the manifest and verified that the seal was intactbut the boxcar was empty. At, Regarding the James Dean crash: My father with the attending physician for, James Dean's last words: "That guy's got to stop! As he began to turn left through an intersection, Dean, probably unable to stop, slammed into the passenger side of Turnupseed's truck. PARTI. Shortly before 5pm, Dean was traveling east on Route 46 when he collided with a Ford Tudor driven by Donald Turnupseed, who was turning Because it was twilight and the color of James's car blended in with the sky Donald couldn't see him. Sir Alec (1914-2000) won an Oscar portraying Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), but he is best remembered by modern fans for portraying Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy. He traded in his Speedster for the Spyder on September 21, and his new buddy Wtherich was part of the deal. It was a very, very odd, spooky experience. You said much the same thing here when we discussed this in 1999. Turnupseed's death was overshadowed by Dean's. He and his passenger, mechanic Rolf Wtherich, slammed into the Ford driven by 23 year old Donald Turnupseed. Go seeit. Unlike his father, Donald Turnupseed was likeable, but not outgoing, Paggi said. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. It didnt slow Dean down one bit. All right, someone's got to explain the GREEN BERETS thing to me, > >Another good idea is to at least turn on headlights in the daytime if, > Now the law in California, though it's the kind of common-sense thing, No harm either. The public was shocked by James Deans death as he was a young and promising actor. Meanwhile, Barris had sold a pair of tires from the 550 and both reportedly blew at the same time, causing the new owner to career off the road. The day was beginning to fade, and only a black-and-white Ford Tudor car, driven by Donald Turnupseed, a 23-year-old student, was traveling in the opposite direction on 466. He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg and was part of the unit dispatched to New York City to quell the infamous draft riots there. Highway officials report that 42 deaths occurred on the road during the 45 years after James Deans passing. What did witnesses say about the accident? Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? "You've got to stop," James Dean told Weuterich when he saw Ford's maneuver. His family did not want to talk about the accident and he became a footnote in history.. James Deans aluminium-bodied Porsche was launched into the air, torn and crushed. Thanks, Shirley! You''ll also find a link to the computer animation they used. The Porsche crested Polonio Pass and headed west down Route 466s long Antelope Grade, passing cars along the way while heading straight toward the junction of Route 41. It is not known exactly how Barris knew Eschrich, but in late-1956, Barris announced that he would rebuild the Porsche. 85mph. No one was injured. I do that all the time in light traffic on unpopulated roads. Taped theshow! Despite a million-dollar reward for information being offered in 2005, Little Bastards whereabouts remain unknown. Photos of late actor James Dean's fatal car accident that were to be used in court are going to auction in August and are expected to bring in $20,000. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Roloff Familys Bathing Suit Photos, Meet Return to Amishs Sabrinas Newborn: Cutest Photos of Baby No. Interesting. However, as the wrecked chassis had no remaining integral strength, a rebuild proved to be a Herculean task, even for a wizard like Barris. Turnupseed was only slightly injured with facial bruises and a bloodied nose. Exponent -- which is really very good at this sort of thing-- found that Dean was not speeding at the time of the crash, andprovided ample evidence to back its claim. Oddly, I happen to have a copy of Dean's death certificate as Iknow some of the men who signed it (not my Dad, though). The road shimmers along this route, making it hard to tell where the road ends and the horizon begins. It was a>> light gray color, and the time of the accident was dusk. Donald Turnupseed, a college student, was making his way towards Fresno with no intention of making headlines . Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world. See Photos of Your Favorite Stars Going Topless, Lets Go to the Beach! Turnupseed and Dean's passenger, Rolf Wtherich, were both injured in the accident but survived. Cars and trucks speed by in both directions and anything short of a cautious drive by is not recommended. The group gathered for coffee and donuts at the Hollywood Ranch Market on Vine Street before leaving around 1:15 p.m. As Dean and Wutherich drove west on the now-nonexistent Route 466 toward Route 41, near the intersection of present-day Highways 46 and 41 northeast of Paso Robles, Cal Poly student Donald Turnupseed pulled his Ford . The Best Celebrity Bikini Moments of 2023 So Far, Pretty Young Thing! Sir Alecs prediction came true. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. I'm sure the analysis you reference is the best available for thissort of thing, but you have to keep in mind that "the best available"isn't necessarily all that good. If I had to guess, that sure looks like a 70-80 mph impact. Today, the intersection has been widened and theres a left-turn lane to access Highway 41 requiring a stop and a 90-degree turn. I always drive with mylights on. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. There you will see the lipstick spotted grave marker covered by more kisses than the yard of bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 22:45 GMT 25 Jul 2019. One of the towns founders was Robert Edgar Jack. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Dean was barreling down Route 466 at an estimated 85 mph when a young Cal Poly student named Donald Turnupseed, driving a Ford Tudor, decided to make a sudden turn on to Route 41. Shortly after the crash, publicity monger and self-proclaimed King of Kustoms George Barris bought the Spyder, promising to rebuild it. The Spyder struck the Ford. etc, never came toany conclusion as to who was at fault, and the matter wasdropped. How fast was James Dean driving at the time of the accident? This is a carousel with slides. What about the people who don't turn on their headlights at dusk cause they can still "see" . Hickman and Roth arrived on scene some ten minutes after the crash. Just what was that ticket for? Four days after the crash, Rebel Without a Cause was released. Turnupseed was coming home to Tulare from Cal Poly State University,San Luis Obispo, where he was a student. I knew his daughter Peggy in the 1960s. IMHO, From the looks of the crash photos, the (5 yr. old) Ford looks to be a total Major body/frame damage. Look at this 2004 Turbo Cabriolet, and at the Porsche 550 Spyder that actor James Dean was driving in 1955 when his life ended, and a legend began, after crashing into Donald Turnupseed's Ford. Nelson arrived just in time to see an unconscious and dying Dean being placed into an ambulance. at Beverly Glen Blvd. How did Donald Turnupseeds life change after the accident? Failed to delete memorial. The James Dean car accident occurred on September 30, 1955, when James Dean was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder to a race in Salinas, California. Route 466 now known as Route 46 in San Luis Obispo County California. Turnupseed was gradually turning left to take the turn towards Highway 41 at the intersection. . The accident probably causedTurnupseed to be more private still, Paggi said. Let the guy drive with his lights on if it makes him feel. Today, the spot where James Dean died is known as Blood Alley due to the number of fatal crashes, mainly head-on collisions, that still occur there among the high volume of commuters, truck drivers, and tourists today. It is a small chunk of aluminum, a few square inches in size, that was allegedly pried off and stolen from an area near the broken windscreen while the Spyder was being stored in the Cholame Garage after the crash. Donald Turnupseed drifted into the oncoming lane and collided with James Deans car. Donald Turnupseed spent his entire life refusing to talk about James Dean. Although he has refused interviews for decades, Turnupseed did speakwith the Tulare Advance Register hours after the crash. 90 Day Fiance Stars Weve Lost Over the Years, Still Together? All Rights Reserved. In fact, the new recreation of the crash has determined that Dean's body, which took the full force of the impact, was flung into the passenger seat by the other car in the collision. James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 - September 30, 1955) was an American actor. FA foundthat neither Dean nor Turnupseed was speeding at the time of the crash. MGWInformation on Hurricane Assistance - http://uniquelygifted.org/katrina.htm. Dean was heading west from Bakersfield to join the 101 at Paso Robles. A woman with nursing experience attended to Dean and detected a weak pulse in his neck, but according to the woman, death appeared to have been instantaneous. Turnupseed was a 23 year old college student at Cal Poly State University when driving eastbound on Route 466 (later renamed Route 46) when attempting to make a left turn onto Route 41, when he collided with Dean's Porsche traveling in the opposite direction, killing him instantly. It occurredwhen he pulled his 1950 Ford from Highway 46 onto Highway 41 nearCholame. Drag images here or select from your computer for Donald Gene Turnupseed memorial. There's a summary of FailureAnalysis's findings within this article: http://www.exponent.com/about/news/archives/2005/09/27/22.48.15/. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. GREAT NEWS! When the crash occurred, Rolf Wtherich was ejected out of the Porsche as it spun in the air. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. You'll be able to compare your memory of the highway with how theyre-created it for the simulation. which presents an alternative history that tells us what might have happened if Dean had survived the crash. "They had a chance to fix it beforedown time.". Imagine that, killing James Dean and never wanting to talk about it. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. All true. With him in the car was his Porsche factory-trained mechanic, Rolf Wtherich. . They were taken to a hospital by ambulance and Dean passed on the way and was declared . Dean laughed it off and set about preparing the car for the Salinas sports car races with his Porsche mechanic Rolf Wtherich. How old was Donald Turnupseed when the accident occurred? (*) I guess it's not a secret anymore . This display is what disappeared supposedly after returning from a Miami show in 1960. A German journalist was the last the call, Nelsonsaid. 1, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings. Donald Turnupseed was an American college student who on March 22 1955 while driving to college collided with and killed James Dean. . Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said: 'The early death of James Dean reverberates to this day. Deans Porsche itself carried on. A copy is posted here in Woodland at Chubby's Diner with other Deanmemorabilia. Oddly, I happen to have a copy of Dean's death certificate as I> know some of the men who signed it (not my Dad, though).> > As the best I remember at the Highway 41/46 split Turnipseed had the right> of way and Dean had an arterial stop sign. His mechanic was a passenger. Copyright 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. A copy is posted here in Woodland at Chubby's Diner with other Dean> memorabilia. It's just that, if I don't make ahabit of doing it *every* time, I probably wouldn't do it *any* time.Since I've lived most of my adult life in Seattle, it was kind of amoot point anyway. . He was not ticketed or ever charged with any wrongdoing and he remained a recluse for the rest of his life. Donald G. Turnupseed was the driver of the car that collided with Dean's, not Harold Turnupseed. "More than likely," he said. From this vantage point, its also easy to understand how Donald Turnupseed didnt see the tiny silver sports car as it approached from the foot of the Polonio Pass. One shot is of Turnupseed's wrecked Ford Tudor sedan, which collided with Dean's car almost head-on; the other two show the shattered remains of Dean's 1955 Porsche . Guinness had an ominous feeling on seeing the Porsche and would later write in his diary: The sports car looked sinister to me . Donald Turnupseed was driving the opposite direction as James. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? He hit a tree and was killed in the same race, and so the curse of Little Bastard gained strength. In it, Dean fiddles nervously with a rope lasso and ends the spot by saying, Take it easy driving the life you save may be mine. Seems that retrospectively, Deans death, like his life, can easily get lost in the legend. As this year's 40th anniversary of the crash approached, requests forinterviews continued. Ironically, in this film, we see Dean go from a young man to an old man on screen. Please enter your email and password to sign in. I remember the night when Dad> reported the news at home. Sorry! The vendor, also called Robert Coyle, said: 'These are official photos taken at the scene after the crash. ' Dean laughed. "More than likely," hesaid. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Much more important to be ticketed than not wearing seat belts, imo. Guinness and Moss followed Dean to the restaurant, but before they reached the door, Dean stopped and said, Id like to show you something. Years later, Guinness recalled There in the courtyard of this little restaurant was this little silver thing, very smart, all done up in cellophane with a bunch of roses tied to its bonnet. The young method actor told his new British star, Its just been delivered, said Dean I havent even been in it at all. Guinness thought the car looked sinister.