The gruesome nature of the accident that took Mansfield's life led to a major advancement in commercial trucking safety. At the time of the crash, semi-trailers did not have barriers to prevent smaller passenger vehicles from sliding underneath them during a rear-end collision.
: Mansfield was in the front seat when the car collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer that was obscured by a thick fog of insecticide. Safety Features jayne mansfield autopsy report
A common, yet incorrect, urban legend suggested that Jayne Mansfield was decapitated in the accident. This myth likely originated from widely circulated, gruesome photos of the accident scene that showed a blonde wig in the wreckage. The coroner report confirmed her death was due to severe trauma, not decapitation. The Children's Survival The gruesome nature of the accident that took
: The actress also suffered a closed fracture of the right humerus and various lower extremity injuries. Debunking the Decapitation Myth Safety Features A common, yet incorrect, urban legend
Crushed skull with avulsion of the brain.
The rumor that Mansfield was decapitated began after police photographs of the scene circulated. These photos showed what appeared to be her blonde hair in the smashed windshield of the 1966 Buick Electra.
June 29, 1967