When Did Sam Kinison Die? His Cause of Death and Last Words

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On April 10, 1992, Sam Kinison’s life came to a tragic end while driving his Pontiac Turbo Trans Am along Needles Highway, just northwest of Needles, California. The comedian, known for his electrifying stage presence and fearless humor, was en route to a sold-out performance at the Riverside Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, alongside his wife, Malika. Their journey was abruptly cut short when a pickup truck, driven by a juvenile named Troy Pierson, crossed into their lane and collided with Kinison’s car head-on.

The crash was the result of reckless driving. Pierson, who had been drinking, attempted to pass another vehicle but lost control, causing the fatal accident. His Chevrolet truck, reportedly filled with beer cans, swerved into Kinison’s path near the California-Nevada border. Kinison, just 38 years old at the time, had recently returned from his honeymoon with Malika, a 26-year-old Las Vegas dancer the late comedian had married a week earlier.

Friends described the entertainer as being at a turning point in his life—settling down, sobering up, and embracing a new chapter both personally and professionally.

Initially, it seemed Kinison might survive the crash. Though visibly shaken and with minor facial injuries, Sam managed to exit his vehicle and sit by the roadside. Tragically, moments later, the comedian succumbed to severe internal injuries caused by the impact. His head had struck the windshield, a consequence of not wearing his seatbelt. His wife, Malika, suffered a concussion but was immediately taken to a hospital in Needles and eventually recovered.

The aftermath of the crash left many stunned and grieving. Kinison’s long-time friend and opening act, Carl LaBove, who was present at the scene, held Sam’s bleeding head in his hands during his final moments.

In court, Troy pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. His sentencing included one year of probation, 300 hours of community service, and a two-year suspension of his driver’s license.

Five days after the crash, on April 15, 1992, a funeral service was held for Kinison at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burbank, California. His body was later transported to his hometown and laid to rest in a family plot at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Sam Kinison’s Final Words

Kinison’s final moments were haunting and deeply moving. As the comedian lay on the roadside, LaBove stayed by his side, witnessing Kinison utter words that seemed directed at an unseen presence. “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die,” Kinison reportedly said.

Shortly afterward, Sam asked, “Why now? But why?” After a brief silence, Kinison appeared to find peace, softly saying, “Okay, okay, okay.” LaBove later reflected that whatever Kinison experienced in those final moments brought him comfort, as his body visibly relaxed before his passing.

Cannon

Sagar Chand, who goes by Cannon, is a founder at celebsuburb.com. With an aim to cover the life of celebrities, he started the website in 2020 and has been continuously working as an author, editor, and administrator. He has over 6 years of work experience in the entertainment field. Further, he is also one of the Co-Founders at Pandora Group of Companies. Contact: sagarchand242@gmail.com