There’s something creepy but oddly fascinating about celebrity car accidents. They remove the glamour and show us that even the most storied lives can be turned upside down—or ended—on a whim. Through the years, some of the crashes have not only stunned fans but also changed safety regulations, raised consciousness, and left indelible marks on pop culture. Let’s take a step back and recall 10 of the worst celebrity car accidents that stunned the world, from 10 down to the one that altered history for good.
10. Rachel Bilson
Long before The O.C. elevated her to fame, Rachel Bilson endured a crash that almost killed her at the ripe age of 14. She was riding with friends when the car they were in made a reckless pass and smashed into another car. Bilson lay in a coma for two days and still suffers from headaches caused by the trauma. A grim reminder that tragedy is not on hold for fame.
9. Niki Taylor
In 2001, supermodel and TV host Niki Taylor was gravely injured when her car’s driver lost control attempting to answer his phone. Taylor had disastrous internal injuries, underwent more than 50 operations, and spent six weeks in a coma. Her survival—and subsequent return to fame—emphasized the risks of distracted driving years before the smartphone phenomenon made it an international problem.
8. Eric Roberts
Actor Eric Roberts, Julia Roberts’ brother, almost died in 1981. There was a vicious wreck that resulted in brain injury, broken bones, and disfiguring facial injuries. He lay in a coma for days and recovered from it for months, but somehow recovered to pursue a highly active acting career. His case is an extreme case of overcoming near-death.
7. Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan’s tour bus was hit by a semi-truck in 1990 and shattered her back, putting her career on the sidelines for months. Pop icon Gloria Estefan weathered intense rehab before returning gloriously to the music scene. Her return was a testament to perseverance and strength, motivating fans worldwide.
6. George Lucas
Years before Star Wars, teen George Lucas came close to dying when another vehicle crashed into him at almost 90 mph. His car flipped over multiple times, and he remained hospitalized for weeks. Lucas lived—and some suspect the brush with death contributed to his subsequent interest in speed machines and high-test entertainment.
5. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes
TLC’s Lisa Lopes died in 2002 in a car accident in Honduras. Her SUV flipped, rolling over several times, when she tried to pass another car. She died immediately at age 30. The accident shortened the career of one of pop music’s brightest stars and saddened fans with the loss of an icon.
4. Billy Martin
New York Yankees great Billy Martin died in 1989 when his pickup skidded off a snowy road and hit a tree. Famed for his volatile temperament and managerial acumen, Martin’s life was cut short after a night of carousing. His death is still one of baseball’s most poignant secrets about the dangers of driving drunk.
3. Jayne Mansfield
The film star Jayne Mansfield had a ghastly death in 1967 when her car struck the rear of a semi-truck. She, her chauffeur, and her date were killed instantly. Her three children, including future actress Mariska Hargitay, miraculously survived. The accident spurred the development of the “Mansfield bar,” which is still a common truck safety device.
2. Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s life was a fairy tale—until its fatal conclusion. In 1982, Hollywood actress-turned-Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly had a stroke while driving, and her car went over a cliff. She died the following day at the age of only 52. Her death shocked Monaco and Hollywood, and she is an enduring icon of class and beauty.
1. Princess Diana
No paparazzi-chased celebrity car crash has made such a worldwide splash as Princess Diana’s. On August 31, 1997, Diana was killed in a high-speed crash within Paris’s Alma Tunnel while she sped away from the pursuing paparazzi. She was only 36. Three others were also killed in the wreck, including driver Henri Paul and Dodi Fayed. Diana’s untimely demise released an unprecedented tidal wave of sorrow, with billions watching her funeral. To this day, her status as the “People’s Princess” cannot be separated from the tragedy that took her life.
They’re more than sob stories in the headlines. They’re compelling reminders of just how tenuous life is—no matter fame, fortune, or standing. From drunk driving to momentary lapses of attention to just plain bad luck, these tales reshaped industries, impacted safety regulations, and left indelible imprints on history.