On July 16th, 1981, when he was on his way to play a free concert that evening, Harry Chapin was killed when his small car collided with a large tractor trailer after he was seen swerving in and out of lanes, perhaps because he was late, we will never know.

The Nassau County, New York deputy chief medical examiner said Chapin’s aorta was lacerated by the impact and he died of massive hemorrhaging into his chest cavity. The medical examiner also said a report that Harry may have suffered a heart attack while he was driving was incorrect. “He suffered a cardiac arrest as the result of his severe injuries, but the autopsy showed that his heart was in very good condition.”

Harry was was 38 years old at the time of his death and is buried at Huntington Rural Cemetery in Huntington, NY.

Harry Chapin Discography:

1972 – Heads & Tales
1972 – Sniper and Other Love Songs
1973 – Short Stories
1974 – Verities & Balderdash
1975 – Portrait Gallery
1976 – Greatest Stories Live
1976 – On the Road to Kingdom Come
1977 – Dance Band on the Titanic
1978 – Living Room Suite
1979 – Legends of the Lost and Found
1980 – Sequel

Long Island Expressway Near Exit 40
Long Island New York