REO Speedwagon's Terry Luttrell Survives Terrifying Post-Reunion Crash

Mia Reynolds, 6/19/2025Terry Luttrell, former REO Speedwagon frontman, survives a late-night crash after an emotional reunion performance. With a cracked sternum but a resilient spirit, he reflects on the bittersweet end of an era while highlighting the perils of life on tour.

Rock and Roll's Sobering Wake-Up Call: REO Speedwagon's Terry Luttrell Survives Late-Night Crash

Sometimes the road takes unexpected turns. Former REO Speedwagon frontman Terry Luttrell learned this lesson quite literally when fatigue and a late-night drive collided on Interstate 57 near Arcola, Illinois. The 78-year-old rocker, whose distinctive voice helped forge the band's early sound, found himself in a situation no musician ever wants to face – falling asleep at the wheel after a milestone performance.

"I nodded off," Luttrell shared from his hospital bed at Carle Foundation Hospital, where he's currently recovering. "I rolled the car over, and I woke up, and I was in a cocoon." That lifesaving cocoon, formed by his vehicle's airbags, left him with a cracked sternum and some lingering pain – though in true rocker fashion, he's taking it in stride. "It's nothing that can't be overcome," he remarked, showing the same resilience that marked his years on stage.

The timing couldn't have been more poignant. Just hours before the accident, Luttrell had taken center stage at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, for what can only be described as a bittersweet reunion. The special one-off show stretched well into Sunday morning, carrying extra weight as REO Speedwagon prepares to wrap up touring after 2024 due to reported tensions between band members.

Talk about a small world – some of the nurses treating Luttrell had actually been in the crowd the night before, watching him perform. The concert itself was something of a time machine moment, with Luttrell – who'd left the band back in '72 – stepping into his old role as frontman one final time.

"It was exactly what we thought it was going to be," he reflected. "A one-off concert that will never happen again. To say that you were there was a pretty big thing."

The night had stretched on long after the last encore. Luttrell stuck around at the after-party until about 2 a.m., his hand probably cramping from all the autographs he signed for eager fans. After finally catching some shut-eye at 4:30 a.m., he made what would prove to be an ill-fated decision to head to St. Louis for business just a few hours later.

Adding another layer of drama to the scene, Luttrell's keyboard player had been traveling behind him and witnessed the whole thing unfold. It's a stark reminder of the risks that come with life on the road – especially in an industry where late nights and long drives are practically part of the job description.

As Luttrell recuperates (doctors expect him to remain hospitalized for several days), this close call adds an unexpected footnote to REO Speedwagon's legacy. The band, which would go on to top the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling" after Luttrell's departure, now faces not just the end of its touring chapter but a sobering reminder about life's fragile nature.

Perhaps it's fitting that this final curtain call came with such a dramatic encore – though surely not the kind anyone would have wished for. As the music industry looks ahead to 2025, with its evolving landscape of virtual concerts and AI-powered performances, there's something powerfully human about this reminder of the very real risks and very real people behind the music we love.

Rock and Roll's Sobering Wake-Up Call: REO Speedwagon's Terry Luttrell Survives Late-Night CrashSometimes the road takes unexpected turns. Former REO Speedwagon frontman Terry Luttrell learned this lesson quite literally when fatigue and a late-night drive collided on Interstate 57 near Arcola, Illinois. The 78-year-old rocker, whose distinctive voice helped forge the band's early sound, found himself in a situation no musician ever wants to face – falling asleep at the wheel after a milestone performance."I nodded off," Luttrell shared from his hospital bed at Carle Foundation Hospital, where he's currently recovering. "I rolled the car over, and I woke up, and I was in a cocoon." That lifesaving cocoon, formed by his vehicle's airbags, left him with a cracked sternum and some lingering pain – though in true rocker fashion, he's taking it in stride. "It's nothing that can't be overcome," he remarked, showing the same resilience that marked his years on stage.The timing couldn't have been more poignant. Just hours before the accident, Luttrell had taken center stage at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois, for what can only be described as a bittersweet reunion. The special one-off show stretched well into Sunday morning, carrying extra weight as REO Speedwagon prepares to wrap up touring after 2024 due to reported tensions between band members.Talk about a small world – some of the nurses treating Luttrell had actually been in the crowd the night before, watching him perform. The concert itself was something of a time machine moment, with Luttrell – who'd left the band back in '72 – stepping into his old role as frontman one final time."It was exactly what we thought it was going to be," he reflected. "A one-off concert that will never happen again. To say that you were there was a pretty big thing."The night had stretched on long after the last encore. Luttrell stuck around at the after-party until about 2 a.m., his hand probably cramping from all the autographs he signed for eager fans. After finally catching some shut-eye at 4:30 a.m., he made what would prove to be an ill-fated decision to head to St. Louis for business just a few hours later.Adding another layer of drama to the scene, Luttrell's keyboard player had been traveling behind him and witnessed the whole thing unfold. It's a stark reminder of the risks that come with life on the road – especially in an industry where late nights and long drives are practically part of the job description.As Luttrell recuperates (doctors expect him to remain hospitalized for several days), this close call adds an unexpected footnote to REO Speedwagon's legacy. The band, which would go on to top the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling" after Luttrell's departure, now faces not just the end of its touring chapter but a sobering reminder about life's fragile nature.Perhaps it's fitting that this final curtain call came with such a dramatic encore – though surely not the kind anyone would have wished for. As the music industry looks ahead to 2025, with its evolving landscape of virtual concerts and AI-powered performances, there's something powerfully human about this reminder of the very real risks and very real people behind the music we love.