Ernie Kovacs' crash site

This is the location where Ernie Kovacs died in a car crash.

It is situated at the intersection between Santa Monica Boulevard and South Beverly Glen Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.

Kovacs was an influential comedian and writer who performed sketches and hosted television shows. He also appeared in movies such as Operation Mad Ball (1957), Wake Me When It's Over (1960), and Our Man in Havana (1959).

Sadly, his comedic talent was not fully recognized until after his untimely death.

At around 1.30 a.m. on January 13th, 1962, Kovac was driving south on Beverly Glen Boulevard when he lost control of his Chevrolet Corvair station wagon at this intersection near West Los Angeles.

The vehicle struck a wooden power pole on the southeastern corner (pictured above) and bent into the shape of a boomerang.

Kovacs was partially ejected from the passenger side door and died almost immediately. The autopsy report stated that he suffered a fractured skull and ribs, a ruptured aorta (artery), as well as other injuries.

The paramedics who responded to the crash site were unable to remove his body as it was jammed between the dashboard and the passenger seat. Consequently, they had to wait for a tow truck and other equipment to arrive at the scene.

The state of the Corvair indicated that the 42-year-old was driving at least 50 miles per hour when he lost control and skidded towards the utility pole.

No witnesses saw the crash. It wasn't until a few minutes later that a passing motorist noticed the wreckage and called 911.

It remains unclear what caused Kovacs to lose control of his vehicle. Some have theorized that he may have been trying to light a cigar. Others have pointed out that he was slightly drunk and tired, as he had just left a party.

Notably, the road was also wet from rainfall.

Considering all of the above, it seems plausible that there may have been multiple factors at play.

Photos

Photos of the site and other related images.

Crash site

Image source: Google Maps

This Google Street View image of the southeastern corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and South Beverly Glen Boulevard was captured in February 2021—nearly 60 years after Kovacs' death.

Wreckage

These photographs of the wreckage were published in newspapers across the world.

The Chevrolet Corvair was found wrapped around a wooden utility pole.

On the night before the crash, the comedian attended a party at the home of director Billy Wilder.

Kovacs and his wife, Edie Adams, had traveled to Wilder's house in separate vehicles.

Later, there were claims that the 1960–1963 Corvair had "handling issues" that may have contributed to the accident. However, a 1972 safety commission report concluded that it was just as safe as its competitors.

Kovacs' wife rubbished these claims and blamed her husband's death on his reckless driving.