Jan Berry Accident (site) (Los Angeles, California) | interesting place

USA / California / Westwood / Los Angeles, California / Whittier Drive
 interesting place, historical layer / disappeared object
On April 12, 1966, 25-year-old musician Jan Berry turned onto Whittier southbound from Sunset in his Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and hit a parked truck at about 90 MPH.

Berry pulled out to pass a slow-moving vehicle and slammed full-speed into a truck that was unexpectedly parked at the curb. The Paramedics that arrived on the scene thought Berry was dead. Checking his vital signs, they found he was alive, and rushed him to the UCLA Hospital. There they found Jan's brain had been severely damaged and even numerous major brain surgeries could not completely repair the damage.. Not expected to live, Berry was in a coma for months and awoke unable walk, speak and was paralyzed on the right side.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_and_dean
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   34°4'35"N   118°25'10"W

Comments

  • Saw them at Medina Ballroom in MN. Dean is a true friend!
  • It was probably a ways down Whittier. He needed road to get up to 90 mph.
  • I worked at S.I.R. rehearsal studios 1973-1974 and got to mix sound for Jan Berry in Studio A (rental side) one day while he was rehearsing for a show with Dean. The musicians were so very patient with him as his singing and speech was slowed down due to the effects of the crash. I was a huge fan of Jan & Dean before working there and was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him. The word had been sent down from the offices above where Ken (his brother and co-owner along with Dolph Rempp) to give him anything he needed for the session. Such a memorable time!
  • I met Jan and Dean years later. Jan's right arm was almost useless and he was still having some problems, but Jan came back from Dead Man's Curve. George Vreeland Hill
  • Jan fue un gran musico, siempre lo recordaremos
This article was last modified 10 years ago