Whenever a celebrity makes their grand entry on-screen, the crowd cheers them on. However, that’s not the only way to spot them always. In some cases, the crowd nearby would exclaim with sighs of grief rather than sighs of relief.
Just like civilians, celebrities are also susceptible to road accidents. After all, the US has a reputation for the most extensive road network (around 4.1 million miles). This expansive network witnesses 43,000 fatal crashes on average each year.
The roads and reckless driving behaviors do not discriminate. Even though celebrities may often be perceived as the cause behind a crash, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, they’re the victim; in others, the accident is just a product of bad fortune.
In this article, we will discuss them all. Keep reading to know the tragedy of five renowned people who found themselves in a serious road mishap. Additionally, we will discuss the outcomes and possible course of action following the inevitable.
Paul Walker
Whenever ‘Fast and Furious’ comes to mind, Paul Walker will closely follow. This blockbuster series helped this American actor rise to the ranks of his stardom. With larger-than-life dreams and his whole life ahead of him, Walker tragically died in a car accident on November 30th, 2013.
On the fateful day, the actor and his friend, Roger Rodas attended a charity event at Santa Clarita, California. They left the venue in an analog supercar, a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, with the latter behind the wheel. This car already had a notorious reputation for being difficult to handle.
It became evident that the statement was true when the pair crashed just a few hundred yards away from the event venue. The car had been zipping at nearly 100 miles per hour. It first hit a curb, then a tree, a light post, and finally another tree before bursting into flames. Both Walker and Rhodas were engulfed in the flames as onlookers and passersby watched helplessly.
Tiger Woods
Professional golfer, Tiger Woods, has seen his fair share of fender benders but nothing could be worse than the 2021 single-car rollover. He was driving his Genesis GV80 SUV near Rolling Hills Estates on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Despite the area being a 45 mph zone, Woods was driving at a speed of 85 mph. Whether or not he attempted to negotiate the curve is unclear but as the vehicle stepped onto the road, it struck a curb and knocked into a road sign. It did not stop there.
Soon after that, Woods’ SUV crossed over to the opposite lanes, crashed into a tree, and rolled over. The golfer suffered multiple open fractures and serious wounds to his right foot and ankle. He had to endure numerous surgeries, including one involving a rod being inserted into the tibia to heal the fractures.
Even today, years later, Woods’ body bears the marks of that fateful incident. He said that this tragedy altered his life forever. Though grateful to have survived, Woods is aware that he did come within an inch of losing his life.
Pete Davidson
Pete Michael Davidson is not only an American actor but also a writer and stand-up comedian. 2023 was a tragic year for this celebrity as he got involved in a road mishap, not once, but twice.
In the first one, he ended up crashing his vehicle into a Beverly Hills home. Though no one suffered any serious injuries, the actor was charged with a count of misdemeanor three months later. The charge was attributed to his reckless driving behaviors.
What’s shocking is that just months after this collision, Davidson crashed his car again shortly after leaving his stand-up comedy show venue. This incident also occurred in Los Angeles and raised concerns regarding his mental health. The car crashed into a wall but the same was a minor collision.
What makes Davidson’s case serious and concerning is the fact that he seems disturbed. Many believe it’s only a matter of time before he may have to pay the ultimate price.
Bobby Plager
One cannot forget the contribution of National Hockey League St. Louis Blues member, Bobby Plager. He played a major role in helping the Blues reach the Stanley Cup finals and developed the advanced scouting process post-retirement.
In 2021, a fatal crash on St. Louis Missouri’s Interstate 64 claimed his life. Despite the ripe age of 78, Plager was driving in his 2013 Cadillac SRX eastbound on the said interstate. He was in the right lane of the highway until his vehicle suddenly swerved to the left.
A 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan was on the second lane. After hitting the vehicle, Plager’s Cadillac struck a concrete wall having crossed all the highway lanes. Plager was pronounced deceased upon being taken to the hospital. Those in the other car were unharmed.
Morgan Freeman
This 87-year-old actor, narrator, and producer is best known for his captivating documentaries. Sadly, even this Oscar-winning star was involved in a gruesome crash in 2008.
At the time of the accident, Freeman was driving his car in Charleston, Mississippi. He was with a female companion when the car went across a rural highway and overturned multiple times.
The crash was so serious that the first responders had to use hydraulic cutters to extract him from his vehicle. Both the occupants sustained injuries to varying degrees. However, the crash altered his life in the sense that it inflicted permanent nerve damage that led to limited mobility.
The Aftermath Beyond Injuries
As we described each unfortunate incident in much detail, the immediate aftermath in the form of injuries has been covered. Some even lose their lives on the roads.
Such incidents are humbling in the sense that they show us how tragedies or death do not discriminate. Besides the physical injuries, there are other after-effects to be aware of.
Legal Battles
In cases where the celebrity is not the only one involved in a crash due to self-negligence, a legal battle is a common fallout. Let’s take an example. We will consider the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Being a logistics hub and featuring unsafe interstates means St. Louis sees its fair share of road accidents. One of the most dangerous interstates of this city is the I-70.
Just recently, a driver lost control and hit a veteran officer, David Lee, while he was in his patrol car. The incident was gruesome enough to take Officer Lee’s life. When such accidents occur, a St. Louis car accident lawyer must intervene on the victim’s behalf.
According to TorHoerman Law, the process can be long-drawn, involving multiple liable parties sometimes. Since Missouri is a comparative fault state, any negligence on the victim’s part will lead to a reduction in compensation. Depending on the state’s laws, severity of injuries, and accident circumstances, a tough legal battle often follows.
Emotional Trauma
The physical injuries sustained by the celebrities mentioned above as well as Officer Lee only make up surface-level aftermath. A deeper wound in the form of emotional trauma also ensues.
This may take many forms. For instance – the victim may obsessively talk about the accident. Some could be so traumatized that they start having nightmares of the incident.
The victim may also avoid driving around the location where the crash occurred or lift their hands off the wheel altogether. When such symptoms show, it is time to seek medical help.
Financial Burdens
Only when the victim is trying to pull themselves out of the physical and emotional repercussions, they’re struck with the financial blow. Most road accidents lead to some type of property damage.
In some of the cases we discussed in this article, the cars were damaged beyond recovery. In others, considerable repair work was required. Then, there are medical expenses involved.
Furthermore, victims may lose out on wages or income while they’re recovering. If the accident leads to some form of disability, there may be expenses attached for life.
Strain on Relationships
A road accident’s impact never remains limited to oneself. It naturally takes all of the victim’s close ones under its clutches. This can lead to strain in relationships.
For example – if a parent suffers a disability due to a car accident, they will not be able to provide for their children. Family dynamics will change negatively.
Physical limitations and emotional trauma can drive a wedge between the victim and their family/friends. The isolation can make it extremely difficult to maintain relationships in the long run.
So we see that road accidents affect celebrities and civilians alike. The clock, when it comes to such incidents, continues to tick. Even in 2024, a fatal celebrity crash has already occurred.
The famous ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals, Stephen Peat, succumbed to his injuries sustained in a road crash. He fought for his life for two weeks before his tragic demise. That’s how risky even crossing a street is these days!
