They say that the odds of being killed in a car accident in the United States is approximately 1:112, but of course go back over 100 years ago and there was less chance of it happening due to there being fewer cars on the road. However, that then opens up the question as to who the first person was to die in a car accident within the United States, and it is going to go back further in time than you had perhaps expected.

The answer takes us to 1899, and the individual in question was Henry Hale Bliss. Mr. Bliss lived in New York City, and it is believed that he was leaving a streetcar when he was then hit by an electric powered cab. Upon impact, the cab managed to crush both his chest and his head with him being killed on the spot. Little did we realize that this would be the first of many deaths, but only the very first one is able to claim any kind of fame from what was a rather unfortunate incident.