‘Spirit in the Sky’ singer hurt in deadly Northern California crash
The singer of the 1969 hit “Spirit in the Sky” was critically injured in a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Santa Rosa.
Norman Greenbaum, who wrote and sang the Billboard chart-topper, was a passenger in a 2002 Subaru Outback on Saturday when it collided with a motorcyclist, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Subaru driver, Bonita Kay Perea, 62, of Santa Rosa, made a left turn at an intersection without seeing the approaching motorcycle, CHP said.
The motorcyclist, Ihab Usama Halaweh, was unable to avoid the collision and struck the right side of the Subaru. Halaweh died at the scene.
His passenger suffered injuries described as critical and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, CHP said.
Greenbaum, 72, of Santa Rosa, also suffered critical injuries and was taken to the same hospital.
Greenbaum’s hit song sold 2 million singles in 1970 and has been featured in nearly 50 films and TV shows, including “Apollo 13” and “Big Love.”
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