Veteran Rock Singer Terry Luttrell, 78, Injured in Scary Car Crash Following REO Speedwagon Reunion Show

Veteran REO Speedwagon singer Terry Luttrell was involved in a car accident hours after a meet and greet with fans following the band's reunion show at the State Farm Center in Illinois.

The rock frontman’s scary crash took place after he fell asleep at the wheel while driving on an interstate highway.

"It just happened," Luttrell, 78, told The News-Gazette in an interview from the hospital. "I nodded off. I rolled the car over, and I woke up, and I was in a cocoon [of airbags].

“I was able to get up and get out of the car,” the singer added. “The airbag went off and cracked my sternum a little bit. “I have a little back pain and neck pain. … Unfortunately, it totaled the car."

Luttrell explained that he had a late night following the REO Speedwagon reunion show. “It was just sign-sign-sign,” he said of signing autographs for fans until nearly 4:30 a.m. The car accident happened as he headed to head to St. Louis for business the day after the show, after getting barely any sleep.

The one-off REO Speedwagon show took place June 14 in Champaign, Illinois, where the band first formed more than 50 years ago, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

The show, titled Honoring the Legacy of REO Speedwagon: A Concert Event – Back Where it All Began, reunited Luttrell with keyboardist Neal Doughty and Alan Gratzer as well as later band members, guitarist Steve Scorfina, Bruce Hall, and singer Mike Murphy. Luttrell performed four early songs with the REO Classic band during the show. Longtime REO Speedwagon singer Kevin Cronin was noticeably missing from the gig due to a prior engagement, per American Songwriter.

Luttrell was the lead singer for REO Speedwagon from 1968 to 1972 and was featured on the band’s self-titled debut album in 1971. After parting ways with REO Speedwagon, he became the lead singer for Starcastle.

Related: Rock Legend Says There’s ‘No Chance’ Band Will Ever Play Together Again