Chapin, who died in a 1981 car crash at age 38, would surely have been gratified to see the lasting impact of his biggest hit, which has reverberated for generations — it’s been covered by ...

The crash, frozen in time because of the Chapin song and also because of Sesky's watch, which was recovered in the wreckage. It stopped at the moment of the wreck, 5:27 p.m., March 18, 1965.

Let’s embrace Harry Chapin’s philosophy, “When in doubt, do something,” and support the movement he created. Help the organizations working to end hunger and poverty in your community.

Howard Fields poses for a photograph in his Bergenfield home, Thursday March 21, 2024. Fields played with Harry Chapin from 1974-1981 and will play in Englewood in May.

1965 Truck Crash Claims the Life of Driver, Spills Bananas in the Road, and Inspires a Popular Song by Harry Chapin Unable to control his truck, Sesky hit Scranton at around 90 mph.