On Friday, April 10, 1992, Kinison was driving his Pontiac Trans Am and was struck head-on on U.S. Route 95, north of Interstate 40 and around northeast of Needles, California, by a pickup truck driven by 17-year-old Troy Pierson, who had been drinking alcohol. The pickup truck crossed the center line of the roadway while trying to pass another vehicle and went into Kinison's lane. At the time of the collision, Kinison was traveling to Laughlin, Nevada, to perform at a sold-out show.