Freeman In Serious Condition After Crash

Actor "In Good Spirits" After Breaking Arm, Elbow In Mississippi Wreck

(CBS/AP)  Morgan Freeman remained in serious condition Tuesday with a broken arm and elbow after rescuers used a jaws-of-life machine to free him and a passenger from their car after it crashed on a stretch of rural Mississippi Delta highway this weekend.

Freeman, 71, and Demaris Meyer, 48, of Memphis, Tenn., were taken to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis following the accident in Tallahatchie County on Sunday night.

State troopers said the car careened off the highway and overturned twice before landing upright in a ditch.

"He has a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage but he is in good spirits," Freeman's rep, Donna Lee, said in a statement Monday afternoon. "He is going to have surgery this afternoon or tomorrow to correct the damage. He says he'll be OK and is looking forward to a full recovery."

Lee said "The Dark Knight" star is expected to make a full recovery.

Kathy Stringer, a spokeswoman at the Memphis hospital about 90
miles north of the accident, said Tuesday that no information,
other than the listing of serious, would be released about Freeman.

Bill Luckett, a business partner with Freeman in the Ground Zero Blues Club chain, told The Commercial Appeal in Memphis that Meyer, whom he described as a friend, was "in better condition than Morgan."

Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Ben Williams said Freeman was driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima belonging to Meyer, of Memphis, when the car left a rural highway and flipped several times shortly before midnight Sunday.

"There's no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved," Williams said. He said both Freeman and Meyer were wearing seat belts. The woman's condition was not immediately available.

Freeman was airlifted to the hospital in Tennessee. It wasn't clear whether Meyer was being treated at the same hospital.

Clay McFerrin, editor of Sun Sentinel in Charleston, said he arrived at the accident scene on Mississippi Highway 32 soon after it happened about 4 miles west of Charleston, not far from where Freeman owns a home with his wife.

McFerrin said it appeared that Freeman's car was airborne went it left the highway and landed in a ditch.

The WREG-TV Web site reported Freeman may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

"They had to use the jaws of life to extract him from the vehicle," McFerrin said. "He was lucid, conscious. He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point."

McFerrin said bystanders converged on the scene trying to get a glimpse of the actor.

When one person tried to snap a photo with a cell phone camera, Freeman joked, "no freebies, no freebies," McFerrin said.

"I'm definitely concerned," country singer and fellow Mississippian Steve Azar, whose video for his hit "Waitin' on Joe" featured Freeman, said Monday. The two have also worked charity events together. "He's been the best ambassador our state has ever had.

"He could live anywhere in the world and he came back home. I just think it shows a lot about him as a person and how grounded he is."

The hospital where Freeman is being treated is commonly known as The Med, and is an acute-care teaching facility that serves patients within 150 miles of Memphis.

The popular actor, with his commanding voice and calm demeanor, has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern cinema. He is currently appearing in the blockbuster film "The Dark Knight," the latest in the Batman series.

Freeman won his Oscar for his supporting role in 2005's "Million Dollar Baby." He was also nominated for his roles in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989) and "Street Smart" (1987).

He was born in Memphis, Tenn., but spent much of his childhood in the Mississippi Delta. He is a co-owner of the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Miss.

[republic1776]

I wish him a godspeed recovery.
I hope he pulls through.

[kommoncents-2009]

Morgan Freeman is one of the few actors that I respect. He is a smart man who was always grateful for what he has. A man with common sense, positive moral values and humility. I hope he recovers from this tradgedy.

[ejcspau]

I remember him on Sesame Street. God bless you Morgan.

[likeitis5050]

C.rap!!! Not Morgan!!! He''s my fave!!!! Hang in there, buddy!!! Very best thoughts and wishes going out for you!!!!

[snoody56]

God Bless you Mr. Freeman, please have a speedy recovery..you are the best. Hope your friend is going to be ok also.

[xmanborg]

Morgan Freeman

Great Actor and I respect him as one of Hollywoods Old School GREAT actors who earned his way to fame and was not just born famous.

I wish him the best.

[extremophil]

So when is the media going to start with the "Curse of the Batman movie" talk? It would follow suit with the IQ of Hollywood and the media.

[edward1975-2009]

One of todays greats, godspeed.

[hereticzero-2009]

Good luck Morgan.

[canyoutellme-2009]

So when is the media going to start with the "Curse of the Batman movie" talk? It would follow suit with the IQ of Hollywood and the media.


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Posted by Extremophil at 12:28 PM : Aug 04, 2008
+ report abuse

well... let''s see.. main actor gets arrested, other main actor is dead... another main actor in a serious car crash...

I dunno, curse of the Batman movie may be for real.

Godspeed Mr Freeman.

[downtowner97]

Hang in there, man. We need you!

[sroal92]

I hope Morgan and his friend both have a speedy healthy recovery. I read though that Morgan was driving a ''97 Maxima!? Holy cow this top tier actor should have a chauffeur...
Best wishes Morgan, you truly are one of the absolute best actors in hollywood

[cerberusii]

We pray for your speedy recovery Morgan, get well soon.

[fedup_w_pols-2009]

Thank the lord Ms. Daisy wasn''t with him at the time.

[obama441]

reports Freeman may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The popular actor, 71,yrs old!! How old is McCain?

[obama441]

Hang in there, man. We need you! Posted by downtowner97 we need him?

[Gary Kempf]

Mr. Freeman, I wish you only the best!

[cfray1950]

Best wishes to Morgan, one of my favorite actors. He''s in a good place. The Trauma Center at the Med treats more severe injuries than any other facility in this part of the country. Those people at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center are top notch.

[darral53]

Our prayers are with you and your family Morgan. Hope you recover very soon. You are truly one of today''s great actors. May God bless you.

[hawksprings]

I hope he will be ok. I hate to see anything happen to God!

[obama441]

friggin idiots get a friggin life!! sheesh friggin Americans are a bunch of losers!!!

[obama441]

About 100000 Iraqi civilians - half of them women and children - have died in Iraq since the invasion, mostly as a result of airstrikes by coalition forces, ...are you "praying" for them as well?

[iuphockey12]

About 100000 Iraqi civilians - half of them women and children - have died in Iraq since the invasion, mostly as a result of airstrikes by coalition forces, ...are you "praying" for them as well?


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Posted by obama441

SHUT UP! THAT IS AN IRRELEVANT POST

[emelder]

About 100000 Iraqi civilians - half of them women and children - have died in Iraq since the invasion, mostly as a result of airstrikes by coalition forces, ...are you "praying" for them as well?

Posted by obama441 at 01:12 PM

What an insensitive post, politicizing Morgan Freeman''s car crash for God''s sake!!! I say God Bless the Whole World ... No Exceptions. Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors ... my thoughts and prayers turn to him and family, at this time.

[emelder]

About 100000 Iraqi civilians - half of them women and children - have died in Iraq since the invasion, mostly as a result of airstrikes by coalition forces, ...are you "praying" for them as well?

Posted by obama441 at 01:12 PM

What an insensitive post, politicizing Morgan Freeman''s car crash for God''s sake!!! I say God Bless the Whole World ... No Exceptions. Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors ... my thoughts and prayers turn to him and family, at this time.

[tbweb]

"They had to use the jaws of life to extract him from the vehicle," McFerrin said. "He was lucid, conscious. He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point."

Talking and joking with rescue workers even in a dark hour, but then thats Morgan Freeman and why so many love him! Just an all around nice guy.

[czmdm]

obama441 you are an ignorant hateful fool. Just because someone prays for Mr. Freeman you have a problem with that? In your brillant mind praying for Mr. Freeman is wrong? What exactly have you done today that is positive for the rest of the world? Now shut up an go back under the rock that you crawled out from under.

[czmdm]

Hey obama if America is so screwed up why don''t you go read some other nations websites. You are a terrible and very uneducated person.

[omega39-2009]

I always liked Morgan Freeman as an actor, I hope he comes through this alright.

[slim1h2o]

I hope he pulls thru too. Sounds like he will.

[cdfoxtrot1]

What an insensitive post, politicizing Morgan Freeman''''s car crash for God''''s sake!!! I say God Bless the Whole World ... No Exceptions. Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors ... my thoughts and prayers turn to him and family, at this time.

Posted by emelder at 01:22 PM


I don''t see how expressing concern about the victims of Bush''s war of choice is "politicizing" anything. It''s about compassion and morality, not politics.

As for Morgan, I hope he''ll recover fully. I always enjoy his performances.

[obama441]

There is little doubt that the UNITED STATES economy is edging closer to collapse. the US is facing not just a recession but a depression and almost everyone in the US mainstream press is in denial. the major news networks prefer to run story after story on celebrity accidents,*** scandals and other perversions than to talk seriously about the tanking US economy...

[sistatee-2009]

The Car rolled Se7en times.

[slim1h2o]

And you are leading the parade.

Posted by rharrin1 at 01:38 PM : Aug 04, 2008

He''s leading the cheering section, otherwise known as , the peanut gallery,, as well.

[yourpointis]

I will see ANYTHING this man plays in, I think he''s marvelous!! Hope your recovery is quick Mr. Freeman, you''re a class act!

[haoli25]

Now there is a Black president I could vote for.

[slim1h2o]

Good one sistatee. but isn''t it 7even?

[no2zeebas]

He''s a great actor...Hoping everything is alright...

[leon0310]

get well soon morgan , me and my family pray for you , tuff guys like you never give up so easy , I hope too see you on screen soon and I know I will , you have so much more to give whith all those skills of yours, there is no better actor than you , please get well soon, a big fan !!!!

[rosethorn1]

Ok first of all let me say this, Morgan Freeman is a great actor and I hope and pray for his speedy recovery. And second of all, What in the world does the U.S. economy or the Bush administration have to do with the well being of Mr. Freeman? It''s completely off topic and besides the point. If you would like to argue over politics you should find another place to do it. Obama441, you should be ashamed of yourself for using someone else''s misfortune to gain attention for yourself. And if we Americans are such idiots, why don''t you take your superior self and move to Iraq. God Bless Mr. Freeman and God Bless the United States of America

[rosethorn1]

Ok first of all let me say this, Morgan Freeman is a great actor and I hope and pray for his speedy recovery. And second of all, What in the world does the U.S. economy or the Bush administration have to do with the well being of Mr. Freeman? It''s completely off topic and besides the point. If you would like to argue over politics you should find another place to do it. Obama441, you should be ashamed of yourself for using someone else''s misfortune to gain attention for yourself. And if we Americans are such idiots, why don''t you take your superior self and move to Iraq. God Bless Mr. Freeman and God Bless the United States of America

[mjm117]

I never understood though how somebody could be stupid enough to pay 30,000 dollars fer a automobile, a machine that can kill ya. A death trap.. All that technology spent on performance. On horsepower and suspension and radios. And not one penny ''''cept fer a seatbelt spent on safety. The ultimate fool, the consumer is. He''''ll pay good money fer his suicide..


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Posted by donnie1289 at 02:13 PM : Aug 04, 2008



Sounds like someone can''t afford a car to me...

[rosethorn1]

Ok first of all let me say this, Morgan Freeman is a great actor and I hope and pray for his speedy recovery. And second of all, What in the world does the U.S. economy or the Bush administration have to do with the well being of Mr. Freeman? It''s completely off topic and besides the point. If you would like to argue over politics you should find another place to do it. Obama441, you should be ashamed of yourself for using someone else''s misfortune to gain attention for yourself. And if we Americans are such idiots, why don''t you take your superior self and move to Iraq. So please people, if nothing else, out of respect for Mr. Freeman and his family, let''s try to keep the politics out of this...

[mjm117]

Noth''''n you should do in a 30,000 dollar automobile should be able to kill ya. Noth''''n.. there should be like stereofoam popp''''n out everywhere, protect''''n ya from bash''''n yer head up against the windshield. Or more importantly, cars should be dismantled.. taken apart.. and rebuilt.. re-engineered, not around a chassis.. but around a cocoon of safety. A pod.. a indestructible pod. We''''re good enough at car building now that we can make something new.. something safer.


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Posted by donnie1289 at 02:18 PM : Aug 04, 2008


Stereofoam? Honestly? Wow...better pay more attention when school starts back up in September

[louklou51]

Get well quickly, we need more folks like you in the world.

[mjm117]

Look, I''''m just try''''n to help..


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Posted by donnie1289 at 02:23 PM : Aug 04, 2008



Pathetic. If you really want to help...go jump off a bridge.

[nextgenman]

Posted by SoVerySmart at 02:25 PM : Aug 04, 2008
------------

donnie, aka SidVicious, is a Blog Troll. He says stuff just to get a rise. He''s a lonely 17-year-old in his Mom''s basement eating cheetos in his underwear wondering why his tinky is turning orange.

[feedback3-2009]

donnie1289,
Why are you such an a$$hole? No need to answer, it''s just a question you should be asking yourself.

[smurfcrusher]

Morgan Freeman is such a great actor. I sure hope he pulls through.

Did he fall asleep at the wheel, or was there some other incident which caused the crash?

[darwinianone]

It would seem to me that this movie, The Dark Knight, good as it is supposed to be, is perhaps, cursed. Ledger, dead. Christian Bale, charged with assault. Freeman, seriously injured, likely with internal hemorrhaging and bruising. Who else is in it? Keep your eye on the news. Something pretty scary about that.

Hope Mr. Freeman''s okay - he''s one of my favourite actors... talented and classy man.