On June 10, 1946, after storming out of a restaurant that refused to serve him because of his color, Jack Johnson lost control of his 1939 Lincoln Zephyr and struck a telephone pole. Johnson was taken to the nearest “colored” hospital in Raleigh, where he succumbed to his injuries. His passenger, Fred Scott, was ejected from the car by the impact like Johnson, but he received only minor injuries.
Johnson, nicknamed the Galveston Giant was the first African-American to win the World Heavyweight title, which he held from 1908 to 1915, during the height of Jim Crow. He was scandalized in the press for having married 3 white women, and for maintaining an extravagant lifestyle.
Jack Johnson was 68 at his death. He had been making promotional appearances in New York City and was on his way to Texas before his accident.