• February 10, 2004

The multi-car crash that killed the ad sales chief of National Cable Communications also claimed the life of John Irwin, senior vice president of Viacom Plus. He was 40. CBS confirmed Irwin's death Tuesday, two days after he and his companion, Gina Smith, were involved in the crash Sunday night on Interstate 95 in Old Lyme, Conn. Irwin had been senior vice president since 2002 and joined Viacom Plus in 2000. Before that, he worked for CBS Television Network Sales' business development unit for two years and was in spot sales for CBS for five years. He is survived by his mother, Marie Irwin, two brothers and four sisters. The wake will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, at the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, 29 Atlantic Ave., Floral Park, NY. Visiting hours will be from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday.