Terry Luttrell, the singer from American rock bands REO Speedwagon and Starcastle, is recovering after suffering broken bones and other injuries after falling asleep at the wheel
REO Speedwagon singer Terry Luttrell has been hospitalised after being involved in a car crash. The 78-year-old musician reportedly suffered a number of injuries after being involved in the accident.
The accident took place in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, on Sunday – but Terry has since given an interview to local news. He admitted that he had fallen asleep at the wheel of his car – which was wrecked after he passed out.
While the rock band frontman was able to free himself from the wreckage, he was far from uninjured. He revealed he broke one of the bones in his chest and has been suffering from pain elsewhere in his body.
He told The News-Gazette: “It just happened. I nodded off. I rolled the car over, and I woke up and I was in a cocoon (the airbags). Unfortunately, it totaled the car.”
Recounting the aftermath of the incident, he explained: “[I was] able to get out of the car,” and went on to reveal he suffered a number of injuries.
He said: “[I] cracked my sternum a little bit… I have a little back pain and neck pain. It’s nothing that can’t be overcome.”
The local news report gave details of Terry’s weekend – which had included a performance, after party, and mingling with fans. He recounted signing autographs late into Saturday night after taking to the stage and following an after-party.
He reportedly didn’t leave the party until 2am on Sunday morning, only to meet the fans who were seeking autographs. It was not until 4:30am that he got to sleep.
The star was then up early that same morning and travelled to St. Louis for business. He explained that he felt “A little bit sleepy” but assumed he was fit enough to travel.
After his accident, he was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital – with the News-Gazette recording that he is still there in order to recover from his injuries.
Terry had been performing in a farewell show the night before his accident. Sharing details from the gig, he said: “Everybody (in the band) was excited. It was just a fun evening.
“It was exactly what we thought it was going to be. It was a one-off concert that will never happen again. To say that you were there was a pretty big thing.”
While Terry has been in another band called Starcastle, it is his work with REO Speedwagon that he is famous for. He joined the group in 1968, replacing frontman Mike Blair, with the band releasing hit singles including Can’t Fight This Feeling.
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