Tirella and heiress Doris Duke drove to her estate, Rough Point. As
Tirella opened its gates, Duke claimed she "accidentally" gunned the
car, dragging him across the street, then crushing him against a tree,
killing him instantly. The Newport Police ruled it an "unfortunate
accident" one week later. The Chief of Police resigned amid the furor
in the wake of the investigation. Duke later settled with Tirella's
family after they filed a lawsuit.