Bing Crosby's widow recovering after traffic crash

Kathryn Crosby

RENO, Nev. - Bing Crosby's widow, Kathryn Crosby, is recovering after being flown to a hospital with major injuries following a deadly traffic crash last month in the Sierra Nevada.

Kathryn Crosby, 77, was hurt and her husband, Maurice William Sullivan, 85, was killed in the Nov. 4 single-vehicle wreck on U.S. 50 east of Placerville, Calif., California Highway Patrol spokesman Dan Stark said Thursday.

Kathryn Crosby, who has homes in Genoa and Hillsborough, Calif., was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

Hospital spokesman Dan Davis said Thursday the former actress is not currently listed as a patient.

"This can mean either this patient is no longer here or they have chosen to keep their protected health information private and do not want it released," he said.

Sullivan was westbound when his vehicle left the roadway, struck a large boulder and rolled many times, ejecting him, Start said. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and an investigation continues.

"We may do some follow-up with her (Kathryn Crosby) to determine the events that led up to the accident," Stark said, adding he had no details on her injuries or update on her condition.

Robert Bader, vice president of marketing and production for Bing Crosby Enterprises, said Thursday that Kathryn Crosby was "doing well" at a hospital, but he did not elaborate.

Kathryn Crosby's family did not return phone calls seeking comment.

She and the crooner, best known for "White Christmas" and the "road" movies he made with Bob Hope, were married for nearly 20 years before his 1977 death at age 74. She was his second wife.

In recent years Kathryn Crosby has staged a cabaret act in which she sang Bing Crosby hits, and has appeared in a "Legendary Bing Crosby" documentary shown on PBS stations across the country.

Bing Crosby was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century, a huge star on stage, radio, movies and television. His recording of "White Christmas" was for decades the biggest-selling single of all time.

Kathryn Crosby and Sullivan married in 2000.