REO Speedwagon Singer Falls Asleep at the Wheel – He’s Okay

Music legend and REO Speedwagon’s original frontman, Terry Luttrell, just had a major wake-up call; literally. The 78-year-old singer fell asleep at the wheel while driving on Interstate 57, rolled his car, and somehow walked away with only a cracked sternum and some aches. The good news? He’s home, healing, and still cracking jokes about it.

@terryluttrell (Facebook)

Yep, you read that right. The man who helped launch one of the biggest rock bands of the ’70s and ’80s just survived a solo wreck, and he’s handling it like a total champ.

A Scary Moment with a (Very) Lucky Ending

According to People, Luttrell had just wrapped a whirlwind weekend with REO’s farewell show in Illinois, where the original and current band members shared the stage for one last iconic set. After the concert, he stayed up into the early hours signing autographs for fans… because rock stars don’t sleep, apparently.

He got to bed around 4:30 a.m., caught just a few hours of sleep, and then hit the road for St. Louis on a business trip. Unfortunately, he started to feel drowsy during the drive. “I felt a little bit sleepy,” he admitted, and moments later, his car flipped.

“It just happened,” said Luttrell. “I nodded off. I rolled the car over, and I woke up and I was in a cocoon (the airbags),” but miraculously, he was okay. “ His car was totaled, but somehow, he managed to get out on his own and call for help.

Still Rockin’, Still Grateful

Luttrell was treated at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where doctors confirmed his sternum was cracked but nothing else was broken. He’s already back home and reflecting on how lucky he is. “I have a little back pain and neck pain,” he said, “It’s nothing that can’t be overcome.”

And honestly, that’s kind of the vibe he’s always had. Even though Luttrell left REO Speedwagon in 1972 (before they hit their commercial peak) he’s still proud of his time with the band. He appeared on their debut 1971 album and helped shape the group’s sound in its earliest days. Getting the chance to reunite with them at their final concert was a full-circle moment. The crash? Just an unexpected encore.

He may not have been behind the mic for “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” but fans still know his voice helped get REO rolling. And now? His attitude is just as strong as his vocals used to be.

Terry Luttrell is safe, still smiling, and ready for the next ride… after a full night’s sleep this time.