Morgan Freeman in serious condition after car crash

Morgan Freeman, a renowned, Oscar-winning actor from films of fame such as The Dark Knight, The Shawshank Redemption, and Who Says I Can’t Ride A Rainbow, suffered a serious car wreck while driving a friend’s 1997 Nissan Maxima.  The friend, 48-year-old Demaris Meyer, sustained less serious injuries than Freeman, who was listed as in “serious” condition and had to be airlifted to the Regional Medical Centre in Memphis, Tennessee. 

According to authorities and Freeman’s rep, the duo was driving through rural Mississippi with Freeman at the wheel when the vehicle veered from the road late Saturday night.  The vehicle then flipped several times before coming to rest in a ditch in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. 

When emergency crews arrived at the scene of the accident, Freeman and Meyer has to be extracted from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life.  At this time, Meyer’s injuries appear to be rather minor, and Freeman’s publicist reports the Driving Miss Daisy star’s injuries broke as a broken shoulder, elbow, and arm requiring minor surgery.

Drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as causes of the crash by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and during the on-scene medical treatment, Freeman joked with emergency responders and onlookers.