Evel Knievel’s Infamous 1967 Crash Over the Little Caesars Fountain

A 141-foot jump gone wrong left Knievel broken—but unbroken in spirit. How this Las Vegas stunt turned failure into legend.

, and Administrator

2026 January 4 . 4:03 PM

2 min read

As we can see in the image there are motorcycles and a book.

Evel Knievel’s Infamous 1967 Crash Over the Little Caesars Fountain

On New Year’s Eve 1967, daredevil Evel Knievel attempted one of his most famous stunts—a 141-foot motorcycle jump over the Little Caesars fountain in Las Vegas. The jump ended in a violent crash, leaving him with multiple broken bones and a concussion. Despite the injuries, Knievel survived and later used the incident to fuel his reputation as a fearless showman.

Knievel aimed to clear 141 feet on his motorcycle but fell just one foot short. His back tyre struck the edge of the landing ramp, sending him flying over the handlebars. He tumbled across the Dunes hotel parking lot, suffering fractures to his hip, pelvis, femur, wrist, and both ankles.

Though badly injured, Knievel remained conscious and faced no immediate life-threatening danger. Reports later suggested that Little Caesars founder Jay Sarno may have exaggerated the severity of the crash to attract media coverage. Knievel himself played up his injuries, using the spectacle to reinforce his daredevil image. The failed jump did little to slow his career. Over the following years, he completed at least 65 more stunts, including the infamous 1974 Snake River Canyon rocket attempt. Knievel died on November 30, 2007, at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy of audacious—and often dangerous—performances. This story is part of the Vegas Myths Busted series, which explores legendary Las Vegas tales. New entries publish every Monday, with a bonus Flashback Friday edition.

The Little Caesars jump became one of Knievel’s most talked-about stunts, despite its failure. His survival and dramatic injuries only added to his fame, shaping his image as a man who cheated death. The event remains a defining moment in both his career and Las Vegas’ history of high-risk entertainment.