Car Crashes

The family of Willie Spence, the "American Idol" runner-up who died in a Tennessee car accident, doesn't think alcohol played a role -- instead, their alternate theory centers around his weekend activity.

Family sources tell TMZ ... Willie was leaving Tennessee State University's homecoming weekend when the crash happened, and while some have speculated he was driving drunk, his family says the late singer wasn't a drinker, so that doesn't track.

The accident took place during the day, not late at night ... another reason why they think he wasn't fresh out of leaving some big party.

However, we're told it was a long weekend for Willie -- one that might've left him severely fatigued, and the family's fear is he fell asleep at the wheel.

Police have yet to determine an official cause for the accident or his death.

Willie's family tells us he was on his way back to Atlanta to meet with an organization that helps abused and trafficked women ... a partnership he excitedly told his mother about the day before the fatal accident.

Victor Steeman -- a professional motorcycle rider -- has died after a violent crash in a championship race on Saturday. He was only 22.

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme confirmed the sad news on Tuesday ... saying Steeman passed away after suffering severe injuries from a multi-rider incident at Turn 14 of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s Race 1 in Portugal.

"Medical personnel and vehicles arrived at the site immediately and the rider was attended to trackside and at the circuit medical centre before being transferred by helicopter to Faro Hospital," FIM said.

"Despite the best efforts of the circuit’s medical staff, marshals and hospital staff, Steeman has sadly succumbed to his injuries."

Steeman -- who rode for the MTM Kawasaki team -- began his career in World Supersport 300 full-time in 2019 ... and racked up four wins, five podiums, and three pole positions this season.

In fact, the Dutch rider made history with the most pole positions in the World Supersport 300 class at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Steeman's family said they feared for Victor's life when he joined the sport ... saying, "Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened."

"Our Victor could not win this last race."

His family says Steeman is a true hero through his passing ... as he was able to save five lives by donating his organs.

"We would like to thank everyone for the way you have lived with us over the past few days. We will miss our Victor enormously.”

"American Idol" runner-up Willie Spence has died in a car crash ... a relative confirms to TMZ.

The singer was in Tennessee Tuesday when the crash took place ... although specifics of the accident have yet to be released.

Willie posted a video just hours before the crash ... doing what he does best -- singing his heart out. Douglas Now was first to report the story.

Fans of the show remember Willie blowing the judges away in season 19, and making it all the way to the finale ... singing hits like "A Change is Gonna Come" and "Georgia on My Mind." He ended up coming in 2nd place behind Chayce Beckham.

There's been an outpouring of love for Willie since his passing ... Katharine McPhee of 'AI' fame expressed her heartbreak -- saying, "God rest your soul Willie. It was a pleasure to sing with you and to know you."

The 2 performed a duet together during his time on season 19.

Producer Randall Emmett also left a message for Willie, writing "I was lucky to have him sing for me live at my home and other events, I will miss you my friend. I know you touched so many of us."

He was 23.

RIP

Bad news for Justin Herbert ...

Myles Garrett will be back in action for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday -- the NFL star is slated to be a full participant against the Los Angeles Chargers ... just 13 days after getting in a terrifying car accident.

The 26-year-old confirmed the news on Friday ... saying he's feeling good and doesn't believe the bicep and shoulder injuries he suffered during the crash will hold him back at all.

It's amazing news for the Browns ... who certainly missed their All-Pro defensive end in a devastating 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons during Week 4.

As we previously reported, Garrett told cops he believed he was driving around 65 MPH in a 45 zone when he flipped his Porsche 911 Turbo S ... and was issued a citation.

Myles Garrett is back on the football field ... just over one week after his terrifying car crash in Ohio.

The Cleveland Browns superstar was seen doing drills during team practice on Wednesday ... and you can tell the guy was hyped about putting on the pads once again.

The media at the Browns' training facility recorded the defensive end warming up and participating in individual defensive drills.

Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.Com said the 26-year-old even winked at the camera during his workout.

This is definitely a good look for Garrett ... especially since the three-time Pro Bowler suffered a shoulder and bicep strain after his Porsche 911 Turbo S flipped multiple times in a vicious crash last Monday.

Garrett -- who was cited for the accident -- says he was with a female passenger in Sharon Township, Medina County when he was speeding at 65 MPH in the 45 zone ... and confessed that this incident was a "wake-up call".

"Just trying to be smart overall with driving," Garrett said to the media last week. "Don't take it for granted ... You know, just take my time."

Three Florida teens stole a Maserati and drove at warp speed to elude cops, until the car flipped over and crashed, killing one of the occupants, this according to a new police video.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office released helicopter footage, tracking the teens' every move from start to finish during Sunday's INSANE wreck in St. Petersburg.

In the video, the teens are seen walking up to the parked Maserati and slipping inside the unlocked vehicle, not knowing they're being watched from above. The police were in the area on an unrelated robbery call and saw them acting suspiciously.

The kids take off in the car and drive down the street first at a moderate speed as two police SUVs begin to follow them, trying to pull them over.

Suddenly, the Maserati zooms off, hitting speeds of 123 MPH ... leaving cops in the dust. Over the radio, a sergeant orders the SUV officers not to pursue the fast-moving car.

About 20 seconds later, the Maserati loses control and hydroplanes across the road, hitting a curb and flipping over onto the hood as debris flies everywhere.

15-year-old passenger Mario Bonilla died at the scene. Driver Keondrick Lang, also 15, and passenger Malachi Daniels, 16, were hospitalized. Both are expected to survive.

Tory Lanez allegedly ran into a woman's car -- and the driver was pregnant -- and then took off ... that is, if you believe a lawsuit she's now filed against him.

The rapper is being sued by a couple named Krisha and Jesse Grullon, who claim he sideswiped them with his luxury vehicle in Miami during New Year's Day 2021 ... only to then allegedly flee the scene without even checking on them.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the Grullons allege they exited a highway and stopped at a red light at the end of the off-ramp. Moments later, they claim, Tory came out of nowhere and struck their car from the rear left side with a green Bentley SUV.

The Grullons insist Tory never exited his ride, but instead ... claim he took off without a second thought. The worst part, they say Krisha was 4 months pregnant at the time.

The couple is gunning to have him sit for a deposition, which they're requesting be conducted early in 2023. They're also denying Tory responded to their claims in 45 days' time ... either admitting or denying each specific part of their claim.

As you know ... Tory's already embroiled in a legal case here in California over allegations he used a firearm to cause bodily injury to Megan Thee Stallion -- something that's going to trial next month. He was also recently accused of beating up August Alsina in Chicago ... but it doesn't appear the cops are involved in that one just yet.

We've reached out to Tory's camp ... so far, no word back.

Myles Garrett's days of driving like Jeff Gordon appear to be over following his terrifying car crash earlier this week ... the Cleveland Browns star just said Monday's wreck was a serious "wake-up call" for him to drive safer.

Garrett spoke with media members at the Browns' facility on Friday for the first time since the accident -- and he explained he now knows he needs to slow down when he's behind the wheel.

"I think this will be definitely a wake-up call for me," said Garrett, who's been cited for speeding several times since being drafted by Cleveland in 2017.

"Just trying to be smart overall with driving. Don't take it for granted ... You know, just take my time."

He added, "This was definitely a call to me to be more safe with my driving and pay attention to my speed and my surroundings."

Garrett was hit with a citation for failure to control his car following Monday's accident, after he told authorities on the scene he was traveling 65 MPH in a 45 MPH zone.

But, he and his 23-year-old passenger fortunately escaped the wreck relatively unscathed. Garrett suffered just a shoulder sprain and a bicep strain in the crash -- and on Friday he said he's been feeling much better now.

In fact, the defensive end says there's a chance he plays against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

New police video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows Myles Garrett admitted to an officer that he was going around 20 MPH over the speed limit before he crashed his Porsche on Monday.

In the Ohio State Highway Patrol body cam footage, Garrett can be seen in an ambulance moments after the accident in Sharon Township, Medina County ... when an officer began questioning him about the wreck.

The two talked for several minutes about what the Cleveland Browns superstar remembered from the crash ... before the cop eventually asked, "What was your speed approximately?"

Garrett replied, "I think I got up to, like, 65."

The speed limit in the area was 45.

The video also shows Garrett complained of pain all over his upper body -- before he told EMTs that his hand was "burning." He also told the medical personnel he thought his eye was swelling and bruising.

Garrett had a conversation with the medical technicians about whether he actually needed to go to the hospital -- but they encouraged him to do it.

The video also showed several people recognized the football player at the scene -- and at one point, an officer told the 26-year-old pass rusher, "Hopefully you're not out too long. We need ya!"

Garrett -- who was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain and a bicep strain -- was ultimately hit with a citation for failure to control his car.

Cops have issued Myles Garrett a citation over his car crash on Monday -- saying the Cleveland Browns star appeared to be speeding before he wrecked his Porsche.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Garrett seemed to be using an "unsafe speed for the type of roadway being traveled" just before the accident in Sharon Township, Medina County.

Officers issued him a citation for failure to control his car.

According to a crash report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Ohio State Highway Patrol officers arrived on the scene of the accident at around 3:13 PM -- and said a witness told them Garrett "came over the hill flyin', went airborne, took the fire hydrant out and rolled three times."

Officers say they then made contact with Garrett -- who had a laceration on his right hand. They say Garrett complained of pain in his wrist/hand, right bicep, and left shoulder. They also say he told them the left side of his face was hurting.

Garrett told officers, according to the docs, that he wasn't sure how he ended up wrecking the vehicle.

"I don't know if something came," cops say Garrett told them, "I moved out the way of that."

Officers noted in the docs Garrett had been traveling 65 MPH in a 45 zone.

Cops reiterated on Thursday that they don't believe alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. They also said distracted driving was not suspected.

Officers also revealed Thursday that Garrett's passenger was a 23-year-old woman who was not seriously injured.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski says there's still a chance Myles Garrett could play on Sunday against the Falcons ... this despite the Cleveland star being involved in a wild rollover crash on Monday.

Of course, there's still a very good chance Garrett could sit out the game ... but Stefanski told reporters Wednesday, "I'm not ruling anybody out on Wednesday."

"We'll kind of do what we always do," Stefanski said, "which is take in information every single day."

Garrett suffered a shoulder sprain and a bicep strain when he flipped his Porsche 911 Turbo S in Sharon Township, Ohio a few hours after Cleveland's workout on Monday. Police video showed he was also bleeding from his right hand.

But Stefanski said he's spoken to the 26-year-old defensive end recently, and "he's doing OK." The coach expected the pass rusher to return to the Browns facility on Thursday.

"I'm grateful that he's OK," Stefanski said. "We'll see him in here tomorrow."

Police say they are still investigating the cause of the accident. Sources close to Garrett, though, told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero -- he crashed the car while trying to avoid an animal in the roadway.

Cops do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved.

New police video shows Myles Garrett appeared to be bleeding heavily from his right wrist following his car crash on Monday.

The footage -- captured on Medina County Sheriff's Office body cam and obtained by TMZ Sports -- reveals medical personnel was checking out the Cleveland Browns star just moments after the football player had crashed his Porsche 911 Turbo S in Ohio.

First responders can be heard in the clip asking about Garrett's bicep -- while also looking into other parts of his body.

The 26-year-old -- whose shirt was ripped and tattered -- seemed to be dazed and confused.

Eventually, medical personnel got Garrett to his feet -- and you can see in the video, blood was oozing from his wrist area.

Meanwhile, the video shows his female passenger on the ground being checked out by other first responders.

Cops say Garrett and the woman were ultimately transferred to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Garrett wrecked the car while trying to avoid an animal on the road.

Police say they do not suspect alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.

It's unclear if Garrett will be available for the Browns this weekend in wake of the accident.

The man who informed police of the Myles Garrett car crash on Monday told dispatch that a woman had complained of a head injury at the scene ... new 911 audio, obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals.

The caller ID'ed himself as Frank from Porsche Emergency Center ... and he told police that he was on the phone to "report a car accident for one of our customers" in Medina, Ohio.

The caller was asked if there was anyone hurt in the accident -- and he said yes, telling them that "a lady" had sustained injuries to her head. He requested for both police and EMS to go out to the scene.

A second man also called 911 to report the crash ... telling dispatch he had seen "a bad accident over here."

"A girl left her car over here," the caller said, adding, "It's just one car. They lost control over here. They're both sitting outside."

The caller also told dispatch that the wreckage at the scene was gnarly.

"They flipped this thing, I do believe," he said. "They tore it up."

Cops say they eventually arrived at the scene at 2:58 PM ... and discovered a gray Porsche 911 Turbo S off the road that had significant damage to it.

Police say Garrett was ID'ed as the driver -- and he was transported to a nearby medical facility with non-life-threatening injuries. They say his female passenger was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cops do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. A spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol tells us, "A blood draw for the purposes of law enforcement was not conducted due to a lack of probable cause as signs of impairment were not observed by the investigating trooper."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that Garrett crashed his car in an attempt to swerve out of the way of an animal on the road.

Myles Garrett is thankfully going to be OK following his frightening rollover car crash Monday ... the NFL superstar has been released from the hospital -- and his agent says tests showed he broke no bones in the wreck.

Garrett was transported to a local Ohio medical facility after cops say he flipped his gray Porsche 911 Turbo S at around 2:58 PM in Sharon Township ... but according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, he was released late Monday evening.

His agent, Nicole Lynn, told Cleveland.com "nothing is broken" on his body ... though it remains unclear if the accident will cause the defensive end to miss any time with the Browns.

Authorities say they've launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Pelissero reported Tuesday morning Garrett was swerving to avoid an animal on the road just before he lost control of his ride.

Cops say they do not suspect Garrett was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the wreck.

Cleveland Browns superstar defensive end Myles Garrett's Porsche flipped several times during a single-car wreck after practice on Monday ... but luckily, he escaped with only minor injuries.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol shared the news just minutes ago ... saying 26-year-old Garrett and a passenger were transported to a nearby hospital after getting into the accident.

Cops say alcohol or other drugs did not play a factor ... and both passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

WKYC in Cleveland obtained pictures of the crash ... showing Garrett's Porsche in banged-up shape.

Judging by the wheels, the car appears to be a 911 Turbo S ... which starts around $215K. The 911 Turbo S has over 600 horsepower, does 0-60 in under 3 seconds, and has a top speed over 200 MPH.

It's unclear if weather contributed to the accident, but it was raining in Berea, Ohio on Monday ... which is where the Browns' practice facility is located.

Garrett and the Browns are coming off a big win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday ... and he had 2 total tackles in the 29-17 matchup.

Garrett -- the #1 overall pick in the 2017 Draft out of Texas A&M -- is one of the best players in the NFL with 61.5 career sacks and 201 total tackles over 6 seasons.

We've reached out to law enforcement for more details.

The Browns travel to Atlanta to play the Falcons on Sunday ... although it's unclear if Garrett will be able to suit up.

Brace yourself beer-lovers ... hundreds of cans of brew are wasting away on a stretch of Florida interstate after multiple semi-trucks wrecked and sent Coors Lights flying everywhere.

Commuters in Hernando County must have been buzzing hard Wednesday morning about the traffic jam caused by the 18-wheelers colliding and opening up a trailer's payload full of cases upon cases of the ol' silver bullets.

According to Highway Patrol, the beer man was the last truck in a chain reaction accident involving a total of 5 vehicles. As you can see the suds nearly completely covered the 2-lane highway and snarled traffic for hours.

The interstate was reopened by the afternoon, though ... once a bunch of fraternity bros rallied with beer bongs to remove all the debris!!!

We kid. A regular highway clean-up crew got the job done, but our money woulda been on the frat bros.