George Michael injured in car crash

George Michael was being treated at a hospital Friday for what his publicist called minor injuries after being a passenger in a car crash near London.

A statement released Friday said the 49-year-old singer was in an accident on Thursday night and suffered "superficial cuts and bruises."

The statement from publicist Connie Filippello said no other vehicle was involved in the accident. She declined to provide details about where Michael is hospitalized or when he will be released.

Sky News reported that the crash happened Thursday evening on the crowded M1 motorway just northwest of London. It said a different man in the crash had to be taken by air ambulance to a hospital for a head injury.

Michael rose to fame as one-half of the pop duo Wham! during the 1980s and for his work as a solo artist. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is considered one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

The popular singer has had numerous car-related problems in recent years.

He was imprisoned for eight weeks in 2010 after crashing his Range Rover into a photo shop in north London, pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing marijuana.

He also had received an earlier two-year driving ban for a separate drug-related incident.