Dax Shepard Details Lasting Trauma from Teenage Car Crash That Nearly Killed Him
In a candid and emotional revelation, actor and podcast host Dax Shepard has shared how a terrifying car accident from his teenage years continues to impact his life decades later. The disclosure came during a recent episode of his popular Armchair Expert podcast, where Shepard was discussing near-death experiences with co-host Monica Padman and guest Kaley Cuoco.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The conversation turned personal when Cuoco admitted she had never experienced a close brush with death, prompting Shepard to recount his own harrowing story from high school. "I have had the moment, which is among the most unique feelings I've ever had in my life, where I went, 'Oh, I'm about to die. I'm like seconds away from dying,'" Shepard revealed with striking clarity.
Shepard described being in the back seat of a Ford Probe hatchback, returning from Toledo to Detroit with a friend driving. He had folded down the seats to sleep while his friend set the cruise control to 85 mph. The peaceful journey turned catastrophic when Shepard was jolted awake by gravel hitting the vehicle and saw his friend slumped over the wheel as the car careened off the road.
A Terrifying Roll Down the Highway
"I started to go... to grab the wheel, and there was a moment I just knew it was too far gone," Shepard continued, explaining that the vehicle had gone completely sideways. "I laid back down and then... we just launched in the air, and we started rolling right down the highway."
As the car tumbled approximately ten times, Shepard recalled waiting to hit a tree, fully expecting the impact to be fatal. He described this anticipation of death as surprisingly "comforting" in the moment. Miraculously, the vehicle ended up upside down without striking any trees, and both teenagers crawled out through the windows physically unharmed.
Psychological Aftermath and Lasting Effects
Despite escaping without major physical injuries, the psychological impact was profound and enduring. Shepard admitted that for days following the accident, he questioned whether he was actually still alive, struggling with the surreal nature of his survival.
The most tangible lasting effect, however, has been his complete inability to sleep in a car unless he is the one driving. "This may shock you, but I've never been able to fall asleep in a car ever since," Shepard confessed. "So I can never let the other person take a turn driving. There's no way I could sleep with someone else driving."
The conversation on the podcast highlighted how traumatic events from youth can shape behaviors and fears well into adulthood, with Shepard's experience serving as a powerful example of how near-death encounters leave indelible marks on survivors' lives.
