Times Square Church founder dies in Texas crash

DALLAS, Texas (AP)-Rev. David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City and author of the best-selling book, "The Cross and the Switchblade," has died. He was 79. Wilkerson Wednesday afternoon died in a car accident in East Texas, Texas Department of public safety spokeswoman Tela mange said. Wilkerson's car smashed head-on into a tractor-trailer rig after veering into oncoming traffic on U.s. 175 West of Cuney, Southeast of Dallas, said Mange.Wilkerson founded the non-denominational Protestant Times Square Church in 1987 in an area of Manhattan that was subsequently riddled with x-rated movie houses, strip clubs, prostitution and drugs. Also, he founded Teen Challenge, which utilizes a Biblically based recovery program for drug addicts.In "The Cross and the Switchblade" Wilkerson wrote about his early years in New York City to drug addicts and gang members. The 1963 book became a bestseller and was made into a movie starring Pat Boone. His family confirmed his death in a statement posted on the website for Wilkerson's World Challenge Inc. ministries, says he "went to be with Jesus." "We appreciate your prayers and our heart is saddened, but we look forward to the joy of knowing David Wilkerson spent his life well," the statement said.Wilkerson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the Ministry of public security of Texas. His wife, Gwendolyn, was also in the car and was wearing a seat belt, said Mange. She was taken to a hospital, where she was in stable condition with cuts and bruises, mange said.Along with his wife, David Wilkerson is survived by four children.