James Dean got a Speeding Ticket Here Hours Before His Crash 

Always a good Sunday morning when I start the day with another great piece of California history from history hunters.

According to my mom, The car was on display outside a theater in Hollywood during the opening of Giant. My mom and aunt went there to see the movie. Thanks for telling the story. Very well done...

I originally marked the pole in the eighties after O.V. Hunter identified it for me on road map. Warren Beath--'The Death of James Dean.'

Ironic Dean made a safety driving interview & controdicted his own words. He led a fast & short life. Was such a good actor. Hey Jeff could you find some history in California on Steve McQueen,the king of cool, he loved to race as well & gave his life to Christ shortly before his passing. 👍🇺🇸

I was only one year old on James Dean's fateful last day, but I have had a lifelong obsession to find all the information possible about him. He had such an incredible start with his 3 movies, I often think about how far his career could have grown. It is also sad Donald Turnupseed had to carry the blame for causing the accident the rest of his life. Thank you for another great video and I am anxious for you next visit to this place in history.

Generally when you get a ticket you tone it down for at least a little while

I don't think that Officer Hunter can be blamed in any way for James Dean's crash. If Dean hadn't been speeding, he wouldn't have crashed into Turnupseed because Turnupseed would have been long gone by the time Dean got to that intersection.

Amongst a slew of old timer Porschephiles it has become pretty well accepted by most - the route stated, (i.e. 99 to Bakersfield to 466) is very possibly incorrect as most racers of that era who travelled to venues north usually chose 166 west to 33 north which allowed sustained high speeds through the Carrizo Plain oil fields, through Taft and onward to then 466 (Now 46). Known as the “Racer’s Route” short-cut on Rt. 33 around Bakersfield and Route 99. One travelling this route today would intersect California State route 46 with Blackwell's being on the SW corner. Also, Dean stopped at Blackwell's to take a look at Lance Reventlow's (only child of heiress Barbara Hutton and the Woolworth's department store fortune) fancy 300SL. Dean admired the power of the gullwing and was actually planning to buy one. Arguably, just as is the case with the speeding citation, had he not stopped the likelihood of plowing into Mr. Turnupseed would have passed. I always look forward to your material, Jeff. Wishing you, Sarah, and all of those in your orbit a better upcoming year than the one we've left behind, sir.

Well done Jeff. As usual great content. I actually enjoyed the story about Officer Hunter above all. Working as a LEO on that god forsaken stretch of highway was no walk in the park. JD should have taken the wake up call (ticket) more seriously.

Very interesting side story / prequel to the horrid, infamous crash. I have driven through that intersection near Cholame countless times on my way to Pismo & back. I've also passed right by the power pole next to Freeway 99 with those letters on it countless times without any idea what had happened there. Thank you for putting this story together about that tragic day.

Awesome Jeff happy New year

Another great Sunday morning video. I worked on a seismic surveying crew in that area back in the early 80's. Stopped at Blackwell's Corner many times. We did a survey line right near his junction. One of the ladies I worked with was born on Sept. 30, 1955. Her mother was a big fan of his and in tribute to him named her Dean.

Another winner!! You always tell more than we could ever know. The visit to the ticketing officer's grave was very nice too. My memory is that my father told me he and my mother were in front of the Safeway store on Market Street in San Francisco, going home from work, and they bought the newspaper with the headline of the tragedy.

Thank you for the video. That’s so sad that Dean was stopped and given a speeding ticket not long before the wreck. I don’t think I’d heard of that before. Great job, as always.

I would drive past that spot numerous times in the early 1980’s, driving from the Central Valley to college in SLO. I would think of JD each time I passed by the spot where he crashed. Thanks for telling us the story of the police officer and other interesting details of that incident. Too bad he had to die so young. Great reporting as usual!

Very interesting, The actor Jim Varney who's best known playing Ernest has something in comment with James Dean, both men made a commercial telling viewers, not to smoke (Varney) or drive fast (Dean), they both sadly died of it. Last year I watch Rebel without a cause for the first time, you can tell how talented Dean was. Sad he died at a young age.

Back in 98 I stopped at the "Jack Ranch cafe" for lunch & the place was packed with James Dean memorabilia. The even mentioned his breakfast & speeding ticket earlier that day. The have a monument outside on a tree. I always thought/ heard a car was stalled in the road. I could be way off. Looking fwd to part 2.😎👍

You're incredibly thorough. Thank you for the truth. Mr. Dean caused his own demise😔😔

I'm new to your channel and can only say thank you for what you do. Very informative and enjoyable! Keep it up please.

I was curious about Rolf Wurtherich and Donald Turnipseed so did a little research on them. It's so sad James Dean passed away, but being a survivor of a tragic incident must be extremely difficult. Rest in peace to all three.

Thanks Jeff, another great episode!

The quality of your videos are outstanding. Thanks for putting in the time for us

Another amazing video Thank you guys!

Thank you for sharing this this with us 💕

Thx History Hunters..Good one..

Thank you for the video. Happy New Year to you & Sarah.

I just love the history you give thanks

Thank you for your video. I love all that you do, and have a Happy New Year!

Thanks Jeff for a great video, well done and Happy New Year 2022’

Really enjoyed the story and video Jeff !

Thanks Jeff! Excellent video as always. I look forward to many more great videos in 2022. Happy New Year!! :)

Another quality video. Thanks 😊

That was excellent. Extremely well done and informative.

Thank u Jeff for loading this video got to see the crash site and memorial crazy how he still has fans today

Entertaining and educational as always. Thanks Jeff and happy new year to you and Sarah.

Another great one guy’s! This was really interesting to me because I knew the general story of what happened, but not the insight you give it with all the extra details, interesting facts and especially being at the location of places that I might not ever get a chance to see. Thank you for all the hard work researching and editing you do to entertain us. It’s most appreciated and look forward every week to watch your video’s. Take care now guy’s and see ya on the next one! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.

Thank you so very much Jeff. Feeling a tad bit homesick this morning. It was wonderful to see the Valley and Grapevine. Keep up the great work. I can’t recall how many times we traveled those roads, 99, 46, driving to the coast, heading to LA, stopping at Fort Tejon, even going to the drag races at Famoso!

Love this piece of history. Thank you so much.

Thanks Jeff ! An interesting episode, once more ! I always have the urge to look up the locations on a map to round up the stories for me...

Great video Jeff and Sarah....

Thanks Jeff and Sarah!

An amazing piece of history research and delivery. Thank You ...

We've been to the location where he passed. Even with all the traffic there these days there's still a sort of eerie calm out there, though it's possible I'm just imagining things. Such a shame he passed so young.

I enjoyed the video, and am really looking forward to more of your par excellence videos this year.

Thanks so much for the video. As usual your videography, music selection, editing, etc we’re all top notch!👍👍👍👍👍

Great video thanks !

Always fascinating about James Dean. Happy New Year to you and Sarah!

Once again, a most informative video. Thanks to you , we are learning much about California history, and such. Thanks again.

I enjoyed this video, Thank-you! Looking forward to you visiting other James Dean's sites. I would love to see you go to Fairmount, Indiana and Marion Indiana!!!

Always informative. Hope your holidays were fun and safe. Thank you!

You nailed this. Great Vlog, enjoyed it immensely.

Wow, excellent Episode. Love it. Super interesting. I always wonder how you do all this Research and with what cool Stuff you come up with. All these little Anekdotes of History. And on a Sidenote: Love the way you edited and plotted this Episode. It felt longer to me, than it really is. And i mean that in a good way. Not boring or so. Rather full packed with Info. Compact and interesting. Looking forward for the Crashsite Video :) Happy New Year to you Folks over there :)

Great Channel, story's and history that you just cant find everywhere 👍✌

Love the scenery thanks for all you do

Thank for all the hard work and time you spend on your videos it shows love them 💟💟

Thankyou, this was so interesting.

Happy New Year to you and Sarah. I really enjoyed this video.

Jeff thanks for another fun video and respectful to somebody's memory. One of my favorite movies is Giant. Thanks again and happy New Year.

This is the very reason why I love History Hunters so much Happy New Year all the best in 2022 Jeff and Sarah Love Tom YQR Regina Canada

Always a great job. Always a great start to my Sundays.

thank you once more for a good story and video.

Awesome video's keep them coming 😀 👌

My Sunday morning History Hunter addiction....check.... Happy New Year Jeff and Sarah!

I have much enjoyed watching your videos. You , I think like me have a passion for detail and I appreciate your research , zest and legwork bringing these stories to life. I would let any negative comments you receive roll off your back much like water off a duck. It's a much different thing complaining about something and being critical vs. actually getting out there and creating good content. I think you and sara are doing great work and I encourage you to continue bringing history back to life. Cheers from Calgary Alberta Canada.

Love the channel, I enjoyed the video on the 4CHP officers, great research. I was a photojournalist in the Navy, so I know what it takes to put a story together. Keep up the great work, have a wonderful New Year.

As a local we call Cholame SHA LAM. . That intersection that we call the “Y” is still deadly

Great research!

Really cool 😎! Great footage as always 👍 , apparently the ticket did not slow him down! THANKS!

Hello History Hunters Jeff, Thanks for sharing this sad story of James Dean rest in peace 🙏 his legend will always live on.

Great video. Thanks for telling the story behind the story.

Love the video Thank you for bringing us in detail so professionally the tragic demise of James Dean. Your number one fan Lou Martell

Thank you for your vlog. Sunday morning, coffee and your superb vlogs have become an enjoyable event. Hope you and your family have a very prosperous year. Thank you again

A very good video. I had never heard of some it. Thanks for Sharing.

Great history! Hope to visit his home town next summer. Thank you!

⏩ *Jeff, You really do a great job with these videos.* I really appreciate all of the details. Makes it seem more real. Like we are there. *Thanks again!* 🌞

Again, very interesting. Thanks.

Your videos are very interesting, entertaining and informative for this history buff. Thanks for posting. 🤓

Keep up the good work!!!

Good Morning, The intersection of 46 and 41 has been changed at least twice since Dean's crash there, but it is still very dangerous. Too much traffic nowadays. Once the money was set aside for a overpass there, but was sidelined by the governor I believe. Used to be a lot of old 99 still intact, "Goldenstate" . 2022 is here Yay. !

What a scenic route for his last ride! Thanks for another interesting video, you and your wife are my favorite utube channel!

Thanks for the details about this horrible crash…I have knowledge about the accident, but never known the exact details around. I will be waiting your next video about James Dean. Speeding is really dangerous and young people never learn until is too late. Greetings and Happy New Year.

I've heard that Mr. Turnupseed was left to walk home after the accident...Not much help given in the old days after accidents...I look forward to your videos...They are informative and interesting California history

Good jobon telling the history of the accident. Keep up the great work.

This was one of my favorite episodes. I’ve done the drive from Monterey to Bakersfield and have seen all the memorials on the side of the road. I didn’t think much of it until I took a film history class and since then I have stopped at all the memorials. My goal is to do the full drive starting from Hollywood.

Great coverage! I've been to James' grave in Fairmount, Indiana where my daughter went to college. They have a memorial building/shop there as well.

Great video Jeff so sad he died so young thinking he was invincible You have to wonder how much more he could of done if life had given him a bit longer. Hope you and Sarah had a wonderful christmas and heres wishing you both and family's a great new year Thankyou

Definitely on my bucket list of places to visit. Thanks for the info.

We just stopped at Blackwell’s Store on our RV trip to buy a home near our two sons in CA. (We are from near Pittsburgh PA.) I never heard this story, but as we gassed up, I took several pictures of it, and the neon sign that said it was James Deans last stop. My husband & I weren’t born until the late 50’s, but we knew of JD & his accident. Amazing! TY for this!!

I've always been fascinated with the James Dean story even tho he died a year before I was born. I have lived in both San Luis Obispo County and Bakersfield, and visited the crash site several times. Have also driven the highway thru Mettler countless times. Just to the west of the freeway in Mettler is where the Onion Field murders took place

Superb Video James Dean 1# True American legend lives forever in our hearts went to heaven to soon my favorite quote Dream as if you’ll live forever ,live as if you’ll die today Wish all a Happy New Year with much health all ways a pleasure to watch your channel A+

Another excellent History Hunters, Jeff. I was 11 days old when James Dean was killed.

How sad to lose James Dean The whole thing was the tragedy kind of brought a tear to my eye. Thank you Jeff for doing such a great job! Very informative very specific very professional Thank you again my friend your number one fan Lou Martell

New subscriber here! Very interesting! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

When I hauled fuel for a company out of Fresno, I used to make that run every morning. That highway is called blood alley by many. If you ever need a story, my Grandfather had a drink with Gary Cooper in Merced when Cooper came into his shoe repair shop (which went back to 1938) for a shine. I believe they shared drinks at the old Tioga hotel (which back then was first class) which was a stopping spot for the rich and famous before making (what was then an all day trip) their way via the Y.V.R.R. (Another possible episode?) to Yosemite.

I have seen the monument at the intersection and even gotten fuel at lost hills. Thanks Jeff. Central California Watching

Great video, his passing was so sad

That stretch of road is on my route to/from Tahoe. West of the memorial marker is a wide pasture where Mom & I saw our first rainbow touch down. We looked mighty hard to find the pot of gold, but never did see it (and that pasture isn't very big, so if it'd been there, we definitely would have seen it!)---Looking forward to part 2!

Been up and down 99 100 times but didn't see his crash site until a few years ago. Knew about his ticket too, but never the exact spot. Nice work.

I just love how you told us history on police officer as well

Good reporting on this story. You can always be counted on for great details and information that is of interest. Great job Jeff. Missing Sarah!