It was nearly dawn when Terry Luttrell left the afterparty, still shaking hands and signing merchandise long past a reasonable hour. The air was thick with nostalgia—the kind that lingers after old songs are sung in the city where they were born. No one expected the night’s final chapter to unfold quietly on an Illinois highway.
According to details confirmed by the artist, the former REO Speedwagon frontman fell asleep behind the wheel while driving alone the morning after the band’s June 14 concert in Champaign. His car left the road, rolled, and came to rest surrounded by deployed airbags. Though injured, Luttrell exited the vehicle on his own before emergency crews arrived. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for a fractured sternum and minor neck and back pain.
Terry Luttrell Hospitalized After Serious Interstate Crash Following REO Speedwagon Reunion
The 78-year-old musician remained calm, speaking from his hospital bed. He said fatigue from the night’s long fan meet-and-greet likely caused the accident. He had stayed up until nearly 4:30 a.m. before starting the drive to St. Louis. The vehicle was totaled. Despite the crash, Luttrell said he felt lucky to have survived and walked away on his own.
REO Speedwagon singer Terry Luttrell injured after falling asleep behind the wheel hours after band’s farewell concert https://t.co/vvuFBl0jJH pic.twitter.com/JnwtDkpMWu
— New York Post (@nypost) June 19, 2025
The concert, titled Honoring the Legacy of REO Speedwagon: A Concert Event – Back Where It All Began, reunited Luttrell with several early members of the band at the State Farm Center. The venue, symbolic for being situated in the band’s city of origin, welcomed not only Luttrell but also keyboardist Neal Doughty, drummer Alan Gratzer, guitarist Steve Scorfina, and others associated with the group’s early evolution. Luttrell took the stage to perform selections from the group’s 1971 debut album. Notably absent was longtime frontman Kevin Cronin, whose prior commitments prevented participation.
Luttrell first served as lead vocalist for REO Speedwagon between 1968 and 1972. He even lended his voice to the band’s formative recordings before his eventual departure. He later became associated with progressive rock group Starcastle. His reappearance at this month’s tribute marked a rare return to the public stage. Though the evening’s energy was celebratory, its aftermath has cast a sobering tone. As of this writing, Luttrell remains under medical observation but is expected to recover.
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