Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman was released
Friday from the
The septuagenarian thespian suffered some serious injuries late Sunday night after he lost control of the car he was driving on Mississippi Highway 32 and overcorrected, after which the vehicle flipped over several times.
He was airlifted to the
He had fractured his arm and elbow and had suffered “minor shoulder damage” but the four and a half hour surgery was successful and full recovery is expected. Donna Lee said Tuesday he was “doing well,” already receiving visits from family members and “looking forward to his release in a few days.”
People magazine now reports Freeman has left the hospital and is looking forward to recovering rapidly and continuing his career.
A very personalized message from the actor reads, “I left
the hospital today just after 12 noon,
His optimistic statement, released through his rep to people, continues thus: “I just really, I thank the staff at ‘Elvis Presley [Hospital]’ and many, many thanks to my many well-wishers. It’s great to know people care about you.”
Morgan Freeman’s accident generated concern from fans as well as vivid curiosity from the general public, when it was learned that he was in the car with a female passenger later identified as Demaris Meyer. The 1997 Nissan Maxima he was driving belonged to the 48-year-old woman.
Days after the accident was reported, Freeman’s attorney and business partner confirmed to Access Hollywood that the actor was divorcing from his wife of 24 years, costume designer Myrna Colley-Lee.
A difficult week for the actor, who currently co-stars in the phenomenal “The Dark Knight,” but one that he has weathered with grace and polite words for the media.
Attorney Bill Luckett, who confirmed the divorce, also said Morgan Freeman would have to wear a neck brace for six to eight months, and that it could well be a year before he is allowed to play golf again. “He hates that,” Luckett commented.
While the accident was certainly scary, considering the car flipped over several times before resting right-side up, it certainly ended better than it could have. Both Freeman and Meyer were conscious and coherent when the rescue team extracted them from the mangled car with the jaws of life.
Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Ben Williams told E!
News earlier this week that the actor even made jokes, Williams said. Clay
McFerrin, editor of the Sun Sentinel in nearby
Alcohol has been ruled out as a factor and no charges will be pressed against Freeman.