Electrical Contractor Haunted by Fateful Encounter with Hollywood Icon

Nearly 70 years after the tragic car crash that claimed the life of Hollywood star James Dean, the other man involved in the accident, Donald Turnupseed, has remained a reclusive figure. On September 30, 1955, the 24-year-old Dean was driving westbound in his Porsche Spyder when Turnupseed, then 23, crossed the center line while attempting to make a left turn, crashing directly into Dean's vehicle.

While Dean was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, Turnupseed suffered only minor injuries. However, the incident would haunt him for the rest of his life. Rather than reliving his part in the Hollywood legend, Turnupseed instead focused on building a successful electrical contracting business, Turnupseed Electric Service Inc. His clients included major companies like Kraft Foods and Häagen-Dazs.

Friends of Turnupseed say the crash "more than likely" furthered his already introverted personality. He was described as a "totally withdrawn personality" who was "guarded and wary" whenever approached about the incident. Turnupseed steadfastly refused to discuss the crash, even when biographer Warren Beath attempted to get him to comment on it years later.

Turnupseed passed away in 1995 at the age of 63 from lung cancer, having spent most of his life avoiding the spotlight and the media's constant reminders of his fateful encounter with the iconic James Dean.