"That guy up there has got to stop, he's seen us..."
James Dean's reported last words, seconds before the impact.
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James Dean died at the wheel of his Porsche Spyder sports car on the September 30, 1955. He was on route to Salinas (were he planned to enter his new car in a race). At 5:45 p.m at the intersection of Routes 466 and 41 (near Cholame), Dean collided with a 1950 Ford, the impact killed him instantly.




"When he told me the speed he wanted to go in (the Porsche) I begged him never to get into it. Something made me say. 'If you do, you will be dead in a week'."
(Sir Alec Guinness, Sept 23rd 1955 at Villa Capri).

On the day of his death Jimmy started the day by going to Competition Motors to pick up his Spyder. Along with him mechanic Rolf Wutherich in the passenger seat, the two men started out on the long drive. At about 3:30 pm the Spyder was pulled over by a California highway patrolman for speeding (65mph in a 55mph zone). Dean was given a ticket and the continued on his journey. at 5:00 pm the stopped at Blackwell's Corner for a coke and an apple. After refueling at Blackwell's Corner Dean got the Porsche back on the road. 23 year old Donald Turnupseed was pulling out of a junction in his ford, he didn't see the small silver spyder speeding along the highway in the Californian haze. Before Dean could swerve to avoid the on coming ford the two cars collided the impact had thrown Jimmy's head back, snapping his neck. His body has been thrown across to the right side of the car and lay slumped over the passenger door. His feet, tangled around the clutch in the wreckage. His passenger Rolf Wutherich was seriously injured but had been thrown clear at the time of the impact. Dean was taken by ambulance to Paslo Robles War Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.



"So long... I think I'll let the Spyder out..."
(Dean to George Stevens on leaving the set of Giant in his car).

Days before the crash (on the 28th Sept) Jimmy had filmed an interview segment with Gig Young, for a road safety campaign, warning young people on the dangers of speeding on the highway.



"The road is no place to race your car. It's real murder. Remember - the life you save might be mine"
(Dean talking to Gig Young).

Deans body was flown home to Fairmount and laid to rest in the Winslow family plot in Park Cemetery. His Funeral services was held at the Friends Church, 124 W. First Street, Fairmount, on October 8, 1955. The service was taken by the Pastor Xen Harvey and by Dean's old friend the methodist minister, Rev James De Weere.



"The career of James Dean has not ended. It has just begun. And God himself is directing the production."
(Pastor Xen Harvey at Dean's funeral).