Former Winter Olympian Jack Shea dies after car crash

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) _ Jack Shea, a member of the first family with three generations of Olympians, died Tuesday from injuries in a car accident. At 91, he was America's oldest living Winter Games

Tuesday, January 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) _ Jack Shea, a member of the first family with three generations of Olympians, died Tuesday from injuries in a car accident. At 91, he was America's oldest living Winter Games gold medalist.

Shea's grandson, Jim Shea Jr., qualified last month for the U.S. Olympic skeleton team for the Salt Lake City Games. Jim Shea Sr. competed in the Nordic combined and two cross-country ski races at the 1964 Innsbruck Games.

Jack Shea won two gold medals in speedskating at the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics in his hometown.

The car crash Monday afternoon was less than a mile from Shea's home. A van driven by Herbert J. Reynolds, 36, of Saranac Lake, slid out of control and hit Shea's car, police said.

Reynolds was arrested for driving while intoxicated and other charges, police said.