He was in an accident on 23 January 2004, when his car sped out of control and hit a wall in the driveway of the Chateau Marmont Hotel, which had for several years served as his residence in Southern California.
23 января 2004 года в возрасте 83 лет Ньютон выезжал с парковки Chateau Marmont Hotel близ Сансет-бульвара и, не справившись с управлением, врезался в стену.