Wow, that is an amazingly sad story. God Bless Elaine and her Daughter, Angela. RIP JM, Ronnie and JM's Attorney/boyfriend. Glad I got to hear the details of this story. Scott, you are quite the story teller!
I remember taking the pictures from the wire service and being in shock for the while day... I thought she had been decapitated, I'm glad that wasn't so...
I could exhaust every superlative to describe Scott's excellence in creating such unique and interesting investigative videos. The fact is that Scott remains a national resource for whom we should all be grateful. Thank you, Scott, for sharing your talents. Stay safe and be well.
@@DearlyDepartedTours where you getting laid to rest at Mr Michels ? Or you getting your ashes scattered in outer space? Will the ceremony appear live on RU-vid?
@@DearlyDepartedTours I 110 percent agree with this statement. I love watching your videos on thing that I think is really cool is that you actually talk about these people as people if that makes any sense. You take the time so that we can hear the whole story and talk about what is true and not true. I really hope that you get another Museum opened up soon bc when you do I am coming out to it even with stories that I never really cared to hear you tell it in a way that I want to hear it. Hope everything is going good for you.
This is true, but trailer crash testing by NHTSB shows that not all trailer manufacturers are compliant. There are videos of the crash tests with stationary trailers and it is painfully obvious that some manufacturers skimp on the bars. Being a retired volunteer fire fighter, I have scraped up more than a few people who ran under and many where the bars actually worked as they were designed.
Scott, I was in Gulfport the day of the accident back in 1967. I was in the Air Force in Bolixi. The morning after the accident a friend and I went to NO to get away. We stopped in a gas station along the way. In that station they had taken the Buick and placed it next to the side of the station outside on the left. It was a station with service bays. When I saw your blog on the car the one thing I had to say was boy they really cleaned it up. When I saw it the next morning it was totally covered in blood. While finding teeth inside the car would be morbid but seeing that car with blood all over it was super disturbing. The gas station attendant told me it was the Mansfield car. That is how I found out that she had been killed the night before. Bob
Wow, that's one for your memory book! I hope you write it down. First person witness accounts are the best source of historical truth. Thank you for sharing that.
Given the humidity and temperature in the area, no one would be able to get close to the car due to the biohazard (blood, smell etc.) for at least a couple of weeks, but then it would subside, but still be nasty. After years of sitting and being moved around it would be just another wrecked car.
She's such a lovely woman. I can't imagine the heartbreak she went through with her loss just before the wedding and all the rumours and press afterwards. It was great hearing about Ronnie , the forgotten one, and how he was a good hard working young man. I'd love to read her book.
Seems Ronnie was driving too fast and passing too close. He hit the truck backend because he miss judged the distance around the rig. Wonder why there were so many lawsuits. It was Ronnie's fault.
Wow! I couldn't stop listening. I can feel this woman's pain for sure. Such a sweet loving person she is. I pray you guys become good friends. Troy too. God bless you Scott and Troy and Elaine. Thanks so much for this. I have to honestly say I've never really thought about the drivers family and how his death affected them. Such a terrible thing to happen to all of them. 🙏❤️
This video is beyond interesting, well executed, and thoroughly captivating. A masterful retelling of a side of the story which needed to be told, and conveyed in an honest and sincere manner. Well done by ALL accounts! Many thanks, Elaine, for a very heartfelt tribute.
How amazing. . . . .this is a whole other side to the accident. You can tell elaine still struggles with that nite and that horrible phone call. Thank you scott.
Thank you for remembering Ronnie, aka 'the driver'. It is very poignant story. Look forward to reading Elaine's book 'Mermaid in the Window'. I would like to know more about the Elaine's baby, now grown up. Scott, I really like that you focus on people who where victims of crime, who get lost in history, like Steve Parent.
Elaine I lost a young husband just two months after we had gotten married. He had a car accident on Christmas morning 2004. Losing someone after having so little time with them feels criminally unfair. I'm so very sorry for your loss Elaine. PS my middle name is Elaine so I really connected with your story.
Wow,I cannot imagine. You must have felt that you were doing something wrong in life. I hope that love found you again. It was before my time but I did see her movies on tv. Let's just face it. The aspect of young beautiful women entertainers that die,is everlasting.
I absolutely hate and despise cars and I always have they crush people and animals and we don’t need them, mass public transit systems and not a lot of them limit them would be much safer - get rid of cars think outside the box for once why do you all put up with our system
@langyd4518 I have grown up around car's and truck's my whole life my Dad ran a small junkyard for several year's. My Dad taught me about car's and truck's and I would go pull parts for people when I was very young. Along with my Dad and Uncles they would teach me everything about car's and truck's and a few of my Uncle's had some really fast car's and they would let me drive them I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. But along with teaching me about car's and truck's they taught me that you have to have respect for car's and truck's and that you never push the car's and truck's past their limits they always told me to know the car's limits as well as my own limits and to never push past them bc that is when bad things start to happen. So I actually do understand your way of thinking about car's and truck's.
I live less than 30 miles west of where Roger Peterson was raised and is buried. I've actually stood at his gravesite, he is buried fairly close to my sister's in-laws. By the way my partner's name is Roger Peterson.
This was absolutely fascinating. God Bless Elaine, what a tragedy for her to have to live with this her whole life. I hope things worked out for her and she was able to have a good life, she sounds like a really nice woman.
So often, with high profile, incidences, someone gets left out of the story. Thank you, Scott and Elaine, for telling us about, Ronnie. My heart goes out to Elaine and all of the folks who were devastated by this tragedy. Your vlogs are fantastic, Scott!
It was the beginning of the end of what was supposed to be for her. What a terrible loss that she endured as well as Ronnie’s family and friends. So sweet to have spoken about this. ♥️
Such a traumatic experience for not only crash survivors but the family and friends connected to all involved. Great stuff Scott as always. I heard ya !
Interesting to hear from the other people involved in this story. You always hear about Jayne and her family ect and I understand why but to hear about the poor guy driving. So sad he never got to meet his daughter. WOW Thanks for sharing. Even she didn't know some stuff.
I have never heard about him which is shocking. It was a horrible accident and so sad that they all died before their time but it's a blessing the children survived virtually unscathed physically.
The part when Elaine said her brother found teeth in the car chilled me. I have a feeling they were probably Sam's based on how the front of his face was smashed in. If I would've seen the dead bodies there it would've haunted me for life.
Every horrible tragedy we ever hear about there are always people to hands-on clean it up. I just cant imagine. And exhuming graves, good grief, how can there always be someone willing to do this stuff?
@@joejones9520 because death is like taxes, they never stop. Someone has to do it. Spent 10 years in nursing and now in crime scene cleanup (After I lost both parents quickly in succession and had to care for them) Life is always celebrated but someone has to clean up when the party is over 😳🤣💞
Good Afternoon Scott. Absolutely fascinating upload. I never thought of it from this side of the story. As Elaine said,.. he is just referred to as The Driver. There is always another side to every story and I am so appreciative that you find it. Well done, 💖. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 🦃 Always here.. Silla
Wow! What an incredible piece, Scott! Fascinating to hear this story from Elaine's perspective. I immediately hit google to see if her book is out yet! Thank you so much, Elaine, for sharing a bit of the backstory with us. I cannot even imagine what a painful experience this must have been for you. I do hope this isn't the last we hear from you! I truly hope life has treated you well and you've found love again.
My 1st wife died almost the same way in 1988, also in June, but on the 27th. Apparently, a slow moving 1 1/2 ton crew truck pulled out onto the highway in her lane and she didn't see it in time to slow down. She rear ended it at close to 55MPH, according to the Hwy Patrol. I can feel this lady's pain. Time helps, but you never forget.
Im sure having his little one come into the world 7 months later was bittersweet. I can't imagine her pain and heartache losing her love, coupled with overwhelming joy having their baby. God bless you. I'm so sorry you lost your sweetheart. I'm so sorry his daughter, will never meet him here.
I remember when this accident happened. It is one of those events that you never forget even being very young at the time. I love the different angles taken in your stories. It gives the whole event a dimension that without your hard work would never come to fruition. I am very fascinated by so much of your work. I was lucky enough to visit your museum where I saw the Mansfield car with my twins. My boys worked in Hollywood when they were kids. One of the parts they got was playing Jane Mansfields two sons in a depiction of the night of her death for the History Channel. The production company could not locate a four door 1966 Buick Electra for the part so they found a beautiful 2 door hardtop that they used instead. The filming which I can't remember exactly where it was filmed, but I think it was somewhere off the Pearl Blossom Highway in the mountains in Los Angeles County. I am hopeful that you can bring back your museum and tours in the near future.
I am acquainted with Zoltan Harguitay, who was in the car that night and who it sounds like your son(s) played. He is a very nice but somewhat quiet man who I met 1st in the late 90s in Sherman Oaks Calif.
That's what I wanted to know! I was especially keen to hear about the birth of Robbie's daughter - it must have been a great joy, yet inevitably bittersweet to feel Robbie's loss so acutely and knew he'll never meet her. It was an added trauma for Elaine that she and Ronnie were not married when he died and so the baby was born 'illegitimate' - a word I hate, but as we saw from her parents' reaction, it was a big stigma 50 years ago to have a child unmarried. How unfair that Elaine and her child may have suffered prejudice, over something already so painful for them.
Thanks for giving Ronnie Harrison a face and name that most of us would never have known otherwise. Frankly, and I don't know if you'll see this as a complement, this reminds me of my research on Steven Parent. (The teenager who was killed with Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring & Sharon Tate by The Manson Family.) These victims meant a lot to their people, just like the various celebrated victims mean to the world at large. I appreciate this so much.
Wow. I looked at this because I remember the headlines in the paper. I was 9 year’s old and it said she was “Decapitated”. I asked my Dad what that meant and it freaked me out. This is real journalism. Beautiful interview.
My mum had a book "Hollywood Babylon" it was called. I remember seeing the photos of the accident and her little dog was dead on the pavement. Under the photo it said she was decapitated. It was quite upsetting. Years later I read another article which stated she had not been decapitated: it was her wig everyone saw and that started the rumour of decapitation. I watch Law and Order SVU with Jayne's daughter Mariska Hargitay I can see a strong resemblance to her mum.
You’re so empathetic. And sensitive. I love how you ask the questions. The respect that you show to Ronnie’s memory. It’s a big part of her life. You are so respectful. I love it.
Its nice to hear about Ron , thk you Scott what a beautiful WOMAN to tell you about her fiance , the horror she went through , so so sad , MAY HE RIP , THK YOU SCOTT FOR THE TRUTH , AMAZING VLOG, 🙏😥💔
This is a fantastic vlog! Excellent job Scott on getting an interview with a person who has a direct connection with Jayne Mansfield and the tragic accident.
I saw this car at a fair in Ohio along with a display that had a two headed calf. When we got to the Jayne Mansfield car you had to walk up on a platform and looked down into it where they had a Styrofoam head with some hair on it in the backseat to make it look like she’s been decapitated. I think I was about 10. The two headed calf wasn’t that exciting because one head just drooled. But when we walked up on that platform and I saw that Styrofoam head in the back seat, I gasped, lol.
@@rucianapollard7098 that is not what is being laughed at. There’s nothing funny about three people losing their lives and children being traumatized by it. You misinterpreted the comment.
What a very tragic story! My heart breaks for her and Ronnie. Thank you for posting this vid. It’s really important to hear about him. He was a total innocent bystander in the horrible fateful night. Sounded like he was a great young man with his whole life ahead him. Sooo sad
I was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and took that same road on the way to Mardi Gras in New Orleans; I passed right by the accident site but didn't give it a second thought (at the time).
Very interesting interview. I wonder how Jayne's kids feel about this car. I heard that the 2 boys were taken to the hospital and it wasn't until their dad Mickey got to the hospital & he asked where Mariska was? They rushed to where the car was & she was still in the car asleep. Is this true story Scott?
Great interview Scott. You ask all the questions that we want answered . People can tell you really care about old Hollywood and not exploiting memories. I hope you re-open your museum.
What someone said below is so true. Scott is an incredible resource for all things interesting - not just for me, as a Death Hag - but also because he digs DEEP. He checks sources. He finds those sources, and interviews when possible. I am proud to know him; even if I didn't - I would still be grateful for his thoughtful, incisive, and careful research. Also - he brings on the funny whenever possible - and funny is usually possible when it comes to Scott. He does his homework. He never puts stuff out there that is not true. He is a rare man; in his own way, he is a true scholar in the 21st century.
people dont realize how much more dangerous it is to drive at night than in the day, even with bright lights and going slow a dark object in the road ahead may not be visible in time.
Back in the day, when a girl got pregnant the parents would ship u off to relatives, usually down South. Yepper. Some ppl put baby's up for adoption n some of the relatives u were staying with kept the BBY. Then the child would look at you as the big sister. Yepper 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Nothing to do with this story, except Elaine speaking about this phone call & how she dislikes a phone ringing late at night. I had three members of my family killed (at different times) & each time it happened, the ringing of the phone, in the middle of the night, is ALWAYS the first thing that I think of, ALWAYS. To this day, I turn the phones off, BEFORE I go to sleep. Unless something like this happens to you, you cannot imagine what the ringing of a phone, in the middle of the night, still fills me with a sense of horror. I just ALWAYS thought I was the ONLY one with these horrific thoughts & emotions. Elaine is SO open & honest about her feelings and what everyone went through. Elaine did NOT try and make this story ALL about just her. What a TERRIFIC lady she is !!
My brother was killed in a car accident and the police called my mom at 3am to notify her. After that I turned the ringer off of my phone in the bedroom. I used to wake up in the middle of the night because I swore my phone was ringing, but it wasn't, just my nerves playing tricks on me because my nerves were shot to hell after the accident. So I can relate to how you feel about getting a phone call in the middle of the night.
Turning it off? Bad idea. What if your loved one is in a hospital, barely hanging on? Your phone is off and the next morning that person is dead??? Now you lost your chance to say goodbye and make peace. All for your selfish decision to turn the phone off.
What an intriguing video. So interesting to hear Elaine speaking about this. You can feel her pain throughout the interview. Can't wait for her book! Just found your channel and subbed.
Thanks Scott for the vlog. This is such a interesting topic still today. I watched many things on the Jayne Mansfield story and this is the first l've watched about him. I would love to see the car! Take care and l hope you and Troy have a wonderful Thanksgiving❤
What an amazing conversation. So much more I have learned about the accident . I was very young when this happened. I know I seen a part where her daughter talked about the accident. She Was in the back when the accident happened. It's great that you finally told us who he was and his name. God bless all involved.
Scott-amazing work as always. I was so captivated by her story. Heartbreaking what she had to go through in the days, weeks and years following. Cannot wait for the autobiography and thank you for preserving history. Happy thanksgiving to you and Troy.
I love Scott's voice! It's almost hypnotic, it's so wonderful. He's really a great interviewer too! Thank you, Scott! You're so competent! Thanks for doing this on Mansfiekd. It cleaned-up some things too.
Scott, That was one of the most informative vids I've seen from you! Didn't know most of those stories. Never heard her story before. Got to get the book!
Scott Michaels- This is one of the best pieces you have done. Outstanding!!! Will you be opening your museum in Palm Springs? Stay well and Happy Thanksgiving.
Maybe that was Jane Mansfield's purpose on this earth to create the Mansfield bar on 18 wheelers..if she was just any girl off the block..maybe that bar wouldn't be invented.. there's a reason for everything
Love! Thank you. I have to tell you, as I'm listening to this...God is using you to help me understand an answer to a life changing question I had for Him. So, thank you again! Ps. I am over the moon! Thank You God. Loud and clear
Thanks Scott for another interesting story of our American Heritage. But you’ve got too many blank or “blacked out” moments here. You could show more pictures in the areas that you have blacked out screen.
Her daughter was growing up and she didn't want to dress her like she should have. They say bc her daughter would be prettyier than Jane. Little girl dresses n lacy ankle socks. Sad.
Scott Michaels, WOW! Thanks for giving more details into the Jayne Manesfield fatal car crash. Jayne Manesfield is one of my favorite blonde bombshells, not to mention movie stars,! So sad she and the other's were lost that fateful day ! Plus I read several Jayne Manesfield books and they eluded to Jayne was in several car crashes before this, but this was the last fatal one. ☹
CRAZY...my dad and I just were talking about her a few weeks ago! My dad was born on 1947 in SoCal. My Grandparents were very much into the social scene. My dad's granny split time between Los Angeles and New York in the fashion world. They kind of all ran in the same circles at the time. Dad said he had a "crush" on her as I'm sure many young men did. He was saddened to hear of her horrific accident right as he left for Vietnam.
It was a terrible accident but supposedly that accident is the reason they put bars on the back of tractor trailer so cars are less likely to go under them in a rear end collision. In 1988 I was working night shift, I fell asleep driving home after 2 am and rear ended a tractor trailer that was stopped at a red light when I was doing at least 50 mph. Rescue workers had to cut the vehicle apart to free me out but I got out with one small cut on my forehead.
Jayne Mansfield was such a very beautiful woman. For her to die so tragically was very sad. Her career was just starting to skyrocket. I can only imagine the trauma of her children.If they weren't in that big Buick,I don't think there would have been any survivors. I'm glad Mariska is so successful on Law & Order. She's also very beautiful, just like her mother.Her mother's legend lives on thru her!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for posting this. I often wondered why Jayne didn't have her own car. I used to own a 1966 Electra like the one she was killed in. Very touchy throttle!
I feel for her, I lost my boyfriend back in 1982 to an accident (he did fall asleep at the wheel). I am glad you talked with her about Ronnie, I imagine she was glad to talk about the love they had while Ronnie was with her.
Just, it's not that easy to hit a tractor at night like that. The driver was definitely not the problem, so how did that even happen? I drive at night all the time. No matter what, it's like - TRACTOR! Stop.
I had no idea about Ronnie and Elaine's story. How sad and tragic. I was hoping you would ask how her daughter is doing? I can not imagine the pain Elaine went through. Bless you, Elaine...sorry for your loss.
@@KatMusic2009 or maybe he planned what happened. Maybe getting married and having a baby at age 20 was too much for him so he decided to take the road out.
All the lawsuits, the reality is the driver was reckless, inexperienced, and is to blame for her death. Not the fog, the truck driver, he was at fault. Not trying to be mean, but its true.
At the end of the day he was a young and an inexperienced driver. Just like driving busy freeways one needs to be vigilant about what’s happening ahead as the traffic can slow or stop quickly (especially in a 4200lb vehicle). I would not have been comfortable for a 19 year old to be in charge of driving that is for sure.
Sad - her daughter sure has made her proud - no doubt - It's good to get the true story of the driver - what a shame - Life is fragile... Look forward to reading the book
