The Life and Legend of Hollywood Icon James Dean

September 30, 1955, became one of Hollywood’s darkest days. That afternoon, Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich set out for Salinas in the Porsche. On Route 466, a Ford Tudor driven by a student named Donald Turnupseed veered into Dean’s lane while making a left turn. The two vehicles collided violently.

Dean’s car flipped and crumpled; he suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. News of the crash spread rapidly. Fans were stunned. A promising career had been halted after just three major films. His death was instant, but the mythology surrounding him would grow without end.