Spirit in the Sky' Songwriter Critically Injured in Traffic Accident; Motorcyclist Killed

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (TheBlaze/AP) — A singer-songwriter behind the 1969 rock hit "Spirit in the Sky" has been critically injured in a Northern California car accident that killed a motorcyclist.

The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa reported Sunday that 72-year-old Norman Greenbaum wrote and sang the hit song featured in 50 movies, including "Apollo 13," and several TV shows.

Sgt. David Derczo of the California Highway Patrol tells the newspaper that Greenbaum, a longtime resident of Santa Rosa, was the passenger of a Subaru Outback on Saturday afternoon that turned left, crossing into the motorcycle's path.

UPDATE: Motorcyclist dies, "Spirit in the Sky" singer #NormanGreenbaum hospitalized in crash https://t.co/OQ8KrGVKNy pic.twitter.com/7RUeQlElpI

— The Press Democrat (@NorthBayNews) March 29, 2015

Derczo says the motorcycle's 20-year-old driver, Ihab Usama Halaweh, died at the scene; his passenger was also critically injured.

The newspaper says Greenbaum and the motorcycle passenger are being treated at a hospital.

Officials say the car's driver was not injured; alcohol isn't suspected.

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