Actor Morgan Freeman, 71, and his passenger Demaris Meyer, 48, were seriously injured in a car accident that occurred late Sunday night north of Ruleville, Mississippi. The 1997 Nissan Maxima was driven by Freeman and reportedly belonged to his passenger. Meyer resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The actor is reportedly separated from his wife and in the process of getting a divorce – see details below.
The actor lost control of the vehicle at 11:30 p.m., causing it to go off the road. When he over corrected in an attempt to bring it back onto the roadway it instead went airborne and slipped several times. Both Freeman and Meyer had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency workers using Jaws of Life cutting equipment.
Both were airlifted to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, 90 miles north of the accident, by helicopter where they are reported to be in serious condition. NBC evening news on Monday reported that Freeman suffered a broken arm and broken elbow and will undergo surgery for those injuries.
Morgan was lucid at the scene and apparently joked with rescue personnel. Several observers were said to have taken cellphone photos. We will post any crash photos that become available.
Freeman reportedly owns two restaurants not far from where the accident occurred. He has a fine dining establishment called Madidi and a blues club called Ground Zero. Both are in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is unclear whether the couple had been coming from either of these locations at the time of the accident.
Sgt. Ben Williams of the Mississippi Highway Patrol reported that they do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the accident. He said that both were wearing seatbelts.
Freeman has been married to Myrna Colley-Lee since 1984. They reside in Charleston, Mississippi and New York City. According to the actor’s attorney and business partner Bill Luckett, Freeman and his wife have been separated since December 2007 and are involved in a divorce action.
Check out photos below and click the link for a photo of Demaris Meyer.
Photos: WENN