On August 30, 1991, West was scheduled to perform at the "Grand Ole Opry". Shortly after leaving her apartment at Nashville's Wessex Towers, West's car, a Chrysler New Yorker which Rogers had given to her following the loss of her possessions at the IRS auction, stalled in front of the old Belle Meade theater on Harding Road. West's 81-year-old neighbor, George Thackston, spotted her on the side of the road and offered to drive her to the Opry for her scheduled appearance. Frantic about getting to the Opry on time, West had urged Thackston to speed.