REO Speedwagon’s Terry Luttrell Survives Car Crash After Reunion Concert

Terry Luttrell, the 78-year-old former lead singer of REO Speedwagon, found himself in a harrowing car crash on Interstate 57 in Champaign, Illinois, early Sunday morning, just hours after rocking a reunion concert. The crash, caused by Luttrell dozing off at the wheel, left him with a cracked sternum from the airbag’s impact, along with minor back and neck pain. Speaking from his hospital bed, he told reporters, "I got up, got out of the car, and realized I was wrapped in a cocoon of airbags. The car’s totaled, but I’ll bounce back."

The night before, Luttrell had been the life of the party at a farewell concert, signing autographs until 2 a.m. for fans clutching REO and Starcastle albums. "It was sign-sign-sign, but you’ve got to do it for the fans," he said, reflecting on the electric atmosphere of the one-off show. Exhausted and running on just a few hours of sleep, he set out for St. Louis on business, underestimating the toll of his sleepless night. "I felt a little sleepy, but I didn’t think it’d be a problem. Then, boom, I nodded off," he admitted.

Despite the accident, Luttrell’s spirits remain high. He described the concert as a "good show all the way around," a fitting cap to REO Speedwagon’s legacy as the band announced last year they’d cease touring due to "irreconcilable differences." Luttrell, who fronted the band’s debut album in 1967 before leaving in 1972, returned for this special performance. Kevin Cronin, his successor, sent well-wishes, saying, "I just heard about Terry’s accident. Wishing him a speedy recovery."

Even in the hospital, Luttrell found a silver lining: some of his nurses had been at the concert, cheering him on. As he faces a few days of rehab, he’s already looking forward, undeterred by the crash. "It was a one-off concert that’ll never happen again," he said. "To say you were there? That’s a big thing."