In 1954, a crash on Route 66 changed Sammy Davis Jr.’s life forever. We visited the site where the music icon lost his left eye—and where Hollywood history took a dramatic turn.

Sammy Davis Jr. with Paula Wayne on the set of “Golden Boy” in 1964. (Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images) By Tina Dupuy. It was four days until opening night, ...